Colliding Wind Binary Systems and their Thermal and Non-Thermal Radiation

Abstract: Colliding Wind Binary (CWB) systems consist of two massive (O or WR type) stars whose winds collide. The high velocity winds are thermalized in this collision zone and may radiate strongly at X-ray energies. The shocks may also accelerate particles to high energies and CWBs may be a significant source of cosmic rays in the Galaxy (after SNRs). Eccentric systems are particularly useful probes of the physics of high Mach number shocks. In this talk I first review some observations and models of the thermal and non-thermal (NT) emission from CWBs. I will then introduce a new model for the NT emission and the latest observations, and conclude with future developments.