Numerical simulations of the circumstellar medium of massive binaries

We have made 3-D models of the collision of binary star winds and followed their interaction over multiple orbits. This allows us to explore how the wind-wind interaction shapes the circumstellar environment. Specifically, we can model the highly radiative shock that occurs where the winds collide. We find that the shell that is created at the collision front between the two winds can be highly unstable, depending on the characteristics of the stellar winds.