  Based on new Chandra X-ray telescope data, we present empirical evidence of
plasma Compton cooling during a flare in the non pulsating massive X-ray binary
4U1700-37. This behaviour might be explained by quasispherical accretion onto a
slowly rotating magnetised neutron star. In quiescence, the neutron star in
4U1700-37 is surrounded by a hot radiatively cooling shell. Its presence is
supported by the detection of mHz quasi periodic oscillations likely produced
by its convection cells. The high plasma temperature and the relatively low
X-ray luminosity observed during the quiescence, point to a small emitting area
about 1 km, compatible with a hot spot on a NS surface. The sudden transition
from a radiative to a significantly more efficient Compton cooling regime
triggers an episode of enhanced accretion resulting in a flare. During the
flare, the plasma temperature drops quickly. The predicted luminosity for such
transitions, Lx = 3 x 10^35 erg s-1, is very close to the luminosity of
4U1700-37 during quiescence. The transition may be caused by the accretion of a
clump in the stellar wind of the donor star. Thus, a magnetised NS nature of
the compact object is strongly favoured.
