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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The White Dwarfs Within 25 Pc Of The Sun: Kinematics And Spectroscopic Subtypes, Edward M. Sion, Jay B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, George P. Mccook, Richard Wasatonic, Janine Myszka
The White Dwarfs Within 25 Pc Of The Sun: Kinematics And Spectroscopic Subtypes, Edward M. Sion, Jay B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, George P. Mccook, Richard Wasatonic, Janine Myszka
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present the fractional distribution of spectroscopic subtypes, range and distribution of surface temperatures, and kinematical properties of the white dwarfs (WDs) within 25 pc of the Sun. There is no convincing evidence of halo WDs in the total 25 pc sample of 224 WDs. There is also little to suggest the presence of genuine thick disk subcomponent members within 25 pc. It appears that the entire 25 pc sample likely belongs to the thin disk. We also find no significant kinematic differences with respect to spectroscopic subtypes. The total DA to non-DA ratio of the 25 pc sample is …
70 Da White Dwarfs Identified In Lamost Pilot Survey, J K. Zhao, A L. Luo, Terry D. Oswalt, G Zhao
70 Da White Dwarfs Identified In Lamost Pilot Survey, J K. Zhao, A L. Luo, Terry D. Oswalt, G Zhao
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present a spectroscopically identified catalog of 70 DA white dwarfs (WDs) from the LAMOST pilot survey. Thirty-five are found to be new identifications after cross-correlation with the Eisenstein et al. and Villanova catalogs. The effective temperature and gravity of these WDs are estimated by Balmer lines fitting. Most of them are hot WDs. The cooling times and masses of these WDs are estimated by interpolation in theoretical evolution tracks. The peak of the mass distribution is found to be ∼0.6 M⊙, which is consistent with prior work in the literature. The distances of these WDs are estimated using the …
Empirical Determination Of Convection Parameters In White Dwarfs. I. Whole Earth Telescope Observations Of Ec14012-1446, Judith L. Provençal, Matt A. Wood, Stéphane Vennes, Péter Németh
Empirical Determination Of Convection Parameters In White Dwarfs. I. Whole Earth Telescope Observations Of Ec14012-1446, Judith L. Provençal, Matt A. Wood, Stéphane Vennes, Péter Németh
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We report on an analysis of 308.3 hr of high-speed photometry targeting the pulsating DA white dwarf EC14012-1446. The data were acquired with the Whole Earth Telescope during the 2008 international observing run XCOV26. The Fourier transform of the light curve contains 19 independent frequencies and numerous combination frequencies. The dominant peaks are 1633.907, 1887.404, and 2504.897μHz. Our analysis of the combination amplitudes reveals that the parent frequencies are consistent with modes of spherical degree l = 1. The combination amplitudes also provide m identifications for the largest amplitude parent frequencies. Our seismology analysis, which includes 2004–2007 archival data, confirms …
Observational Constraints On The Degenerate Mass-Radius Relation, Jay B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, M A. Barstow
Observational Constraints On The Degenerate Mass-Radius Relation, Jay B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, M A. Barstow
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
The white dwarf mass-radius relationship is fundamental to modern astrophysics. It is central to routine estimation of DA white dwarf masses derived from spectroscopic temperatures and gravities. It is also the basis for observational determinations of the white dwarf initial-final-mass relation. Nevertheless, definitive and detailed observational confirmations of the mass-radius relation (MRR) remain elusive owing to a lack of sufficiently accurate white dwarf masses and radii. Current best estimates of masses and radii allow only broad conclusions about the expected inverse relation between masses and radii in degenerate stars. In this paper, we examine a restricted set of 12 DA …
V344 Lyrae: A Touchstone Su Uma Cataclysmic Variable In The Kepler Field, Matt A. Wood, Martin D. Still, Steve B. Howell, John K. Cannizzo, Alan P. Smale
V344 Lyrae: A Touchstone Su Uma Cataclysmic Variable In The Kepler Field, Matt A. Wood, Martin D. Still, Steve B. Howell, John K. Cannizzo, Alan P. Smale
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We report on the analysis of the Kepler short-cadence (SC) light curve of V344 Lyr obtained during 2009 June 20 through 2010 March 19 (Q2-Q4). The system is an SU UMa star showing dwarf nova (DN) outbursts and superoutbursts, and promises to be a touchstone for CV studies for the foreseeable future. The system displays both positive and negative superhumps with periods of 2.20 and 2.06 hr, respectively, and we identify an orbital period of 2.11 hr. The positive superhumps have a maximum amplitude of ~0.25 mag, the negative superhumps have a maximum amplitude of ~0.8 mag, and the orbital …
The Chromospheric Activity, Age, Metallicity, And Space Motions Of 36 Wide Binaries, Jingkun Zhao, Terry D. Oswalt, Mark J. Rudkin, Gang Zhao, Yuqin Chen
The Chromospheric Activity, Age, Metallicity, And Space Motions Of 36 Wide Binaries, Jingkun Zhao, Terry D. Oswalt, Mark J. Rudkin, Gang Zhao, Yuqin Chen
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present the chromospheric activity (CA) levels, metallicities, and full space motions for 41 F, G, K, and M dwarf stars in 36 wide binary systems. Thirty-one of the binaries contain a white dwarf (WD) component. In such binaries, the total age can be estimated by adding the cooling age of the WD to an estimate of the progenitor's main-sequence lifetime. To better understand how CA correlates to stellar age, 14 cluster member stars were also observed. Our observations demonstrate for the first time that, in general, CA decays with age from 50 Myr to at least 8 Gyr for …
The Period And Amplitude Changes In The Coolest Gw Virginis Variable Star (Pg 1159-Type) Pg 0122+200, Gérard P. Vauclair, Jianning Fu, Jan Erik Solheim, Seunglee Kim, Noël Dolez, M Chevreton, Li Chen, Matt A. Wood, Isaac M. Silver, Zs Bognár, Margit Paparó, Alejandro H. Córsico
The Period And Amplitude Changes In The Coolest Gw Virginis Variable Star (Pg 1159-Type) Pg 0122+200, Gérard P. Vauclair, Jianning Fu, Jan Erik Solheim, Seunglee Kim, Noël Dolez, M Chevreton, Li Chen, Matt A. Wood, Isaac M. Silver, Zs Bognár, Margit Paparó, Alejandro H. Córsico
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
Context: The PG 1159 pre-white dwarf stars experiment a rapidly cooling phase with a time scale of a few 106 years. Theoretical models predict that the neutrinos produced in their core should play a dominant role in the cooling, mainly at the cool end of the PG 1159 sequence. Measuring the evolutionary time scale of the coolest PG 1159 stars could offer a unique opportunity to empirically constrain the neutrino emission rate. Aims. A subgroup of the PG 1159 stars are nonradial pulsators, the GW Vir type of variable stars. They exhibit g-mode pulsations with periods of a few hundred …
The Kepler Light Curve Of V344 Lyrae: Constraining The Thermal-Viscous Limit Cycle Instability, John K. Cannizzo, Martin D. Still, Steve B. Howell, Matt A. Wood, Alan P. Smale
The Kepler Light Curve Of V344 Lyrae: Constraining The Thermal-Viscous Limit Cycle Instability, John K. Cannizzo, Martin D. Still, Steve B. Howell, Matt A. Wood, Alan P. Smale
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present time-dependent modeling based on the accretion disk limit cycle model for a 270 d light curve of the short-period SU UMa-type dwarf nova V344 Lyr taken by Kepler. The unprecedented precision and cadence (1 minute) far surpass that generally available for long-term light curves. The data encompass two superoutbursts and 17 normal (i.e., short) outbursts. The main decay of the superoutbursts is nearly perfectly exponential, decaying at a rate ~12 d mag−1, while the much more rapid decays of the normal outbursts exhibit a faster-than-exponential shape. Our modeling using the basic accretion disk limit cycle can produce the …
Quiescent Superhumps Detected In The Dwarf Nova V344 Lyrae By Kepler, Martin D. Still, Steve B. Howell, Matt A. Wood, John K. Cannizzo, Alan P. Smale
Quiescent Superhumps Detected In The Dwarf Nova V344 Lyrae By Kepler, Martin D. Still, Steve B. Howell, Matt A. Wood, John K. Cannizzo, Alan P. Smale
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
The timing capabilities and sensitivity of Kepler, NASA's observatory to find Earth-sized planets within the habitable zone of stars, are well matched to the timescales and amplitudes of accretion disk variability in cataclysmic variables. This instrumental combination provides an unprecedented opportunity to test and refine stellar accretion paradigms with high-precision, uniform data, and containing none of the diurnal or season gaps that limit ground-based observations. We present a 3 month, 1 minute cadence Kepler light curve of V344 Lyr, a faint, little-studied dwarf nova within the Kepler field. The light curve samples V344 Lyr during five full normal outbursts and …
The Heavily Polluted Atmosphere Of The Daz White Dwarf Galex J193156.8+011745, Stephane Vennes, Adéla Kawka, Péter Németh
The Heavily Polluted Atmosphere Of The Daz White Dwarf Galex J193156.8+011745, Stephane Vennes, Adéla Kawka, Péter Németh
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We report on the discovery of a new heavily polluted white dwarf. The DAZ white dwarf GALEX J193156.8+011745 was identified in a joint Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)/GSC survey of ultraviolet-excess objects. Optical spectra obtained at ESO New Technology Telescope show strong absorption lines of magnesium and silicon, and a detailed abundance analysis based on Very Large Telescope-Kueyen UVES spectra reveal super-solar abundances of silicon and magnesium and near-solar abundances of oxygen, calcium and iron. The overall abundance pattern bears the signature of on-going accretion on to the white dwarf atmosphere. The infrared spectral energy distribution shows an excess in the …
The White Dwarfs Within 20 Parsecs Of The Sun: Kinematics And Statistics, Edward M. Sion, Jay B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, George P. Mccook, Richard Wasatonic
The White Dwarfs Within 20 Parsecs Of The Sun: Kinematics And Statistics, Edward M. Sion, Jay B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, George P. Mccook, Richard Wasatonic
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present the kinematical properties, distribution of spectroscopic subtypes, and stellar population subcomponents of the white dwarfs within 20 pc of the Sun. We find no convincing evidence of halo white dwarfs in the total 20 pc sample of 129 white dwarfs nor is there convincing evidence of genuine thick disk subcomponent members within 20 parsecs. Virtually, the entire 20 pc sample likely belongs to the thin disk. The total DA to non-DA ratio of the 20 pc sample is 1.6, a manifestation of deepening envelope convection which transforms DA stars with sufficiently thin H surface layers into non-DAs. The …
Sph Simulations Of Direct Impact Accretion In The Ultracompact Am Cvn Binaries, Joshua Dolence, Matt A. Wood, Isaac Silver
Sph Simulations Of Direct Impact Accretion In The Ultracompact Am Cvn Binaries, Joshua Dolence, Matt A. Wood, Isaac Silver
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
The ultracompact binary systems V407 Vul (RX J1914.4+2456) and HM Cnc (RX J0806.3+1527), a two-member subclass of the AM CVn stars, continue to generate interest because they defy unambiguous classification. Three proposed models remain viable at this time, but none of the three are significantly more compelling than the remaining two, and all three can satisfy the observational constraints if parameters in the models are tuned. One of the three proposed models is the direct impact model of Marsh & Steeghs, in which the accretion stream impacts the surface of a rapidly rotating primary white dwarf directly, but at a …
A New Look At The Local White Dwarf Population, Jay B. Holberg, Edward M. Sion, Terry D. Oswalt, George P. Mccook, S Foran, John P. Subasavage
A New Look At The Local White Dwarf Population, Jay B. Holberg, Edward M. Sion, Terry D. Oswalt, George P. Mccook, S Foran, John P. Subasavage
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We have conducted a detailed new survey of the local population of white dwarfs lying within 20 pc of the Sun. A new revised catalog of local white dwarfs containing 122 entries (126 individual degenerate stars) is presented. This list contains 27 white dwarfs not included in a previous list from 2002, as well as new and recently published trigonometric parallaxes. In several cases new members of the local white dwarf population have come to light through accurate photometric distance estimates. In addition, a suspected new double degenerate system (WD 0423+120) has been identified. The 20 pc sample is currently …
Orbital Parameters And Chemical Composition Of Four White Dwarfs In Post-Common-Envelope Binaries, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, Jean François Dupuis, Pierre Chayer, Thierry M. Lanz
Orbital Parameters And Chemical Composition Of Four White Dwarfs In Post-Common-Envelope Binaries, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, Jean François Dupuis, Pierre Chayer, Thierry M. Lanz
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present FUSE observations of the hot white dwarfs in the post-common-envelope binaries Feige 24, EUVE J0720-317, BPM 6502, and EUVE J2013+400. The spectra show numerous photospheric absorption lines, which trace the white dwarf orbital motion. We report the detection of C III, O VI, P V, and Si IV in the spectra of Feige 24, EUVE J0720-317, and EUVE J2013+400 and the detection of C III, N II, Si III, Si IV, and Fe III in the spectra of BPM 6502. Abundance measurements support the possibility that white dwarfs in post-common-envelope binaries accrete material from the secondary star wind. …
Lp 133-373: A New Chromospherically Active Eclipsing Dme Binary With A Distant, Cool White Dwarf Companion, Todd R. Vaccaro, Mark J. Rudkin, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, T. D. Oswalt, Isaac M. Silver, Matt A. Wood, Jonathan Allyn Smith
Lp 133-373: A New Chromospherically Active Eclipsing Dme Binary With A Distant, Cool White Dwarf Companion, Todd R. Vaccaro, Mark J. Rudkin, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, T. D. Oswalt, Isaac M. Silver, Matt A. Wood, Jonathan Allyn Smith
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We report the discovery of the partially eclipsing binary LP 133-373. Nearly identical eclipses along with observed photometric colors and spectroscopy indicate that it is a pair of chromospherically active dM4 stars in a circular 1.6 day orbit. Light and velocity curve modeling to our differential photometry and velocity data show that each star has a mass and radius of 0.340 ± 0.014 M⊙ and 0.33 ± 0.02 R⊙. The binary is itself part of a common proper motion pair with LP 133-374, a cool DC or possible DA white dwarf with a mass of 0.49-0.82 M⊙, which would make …
Spectropolarimetric Survey Of Hydrogen-Rich White Dwarf Stars, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, Gary D. Schmidt, Dayal T. Wickramasinghe, Rolf Koch
Spectropolarimetric Survey Of Hydrogen-Rich White Dwarf Stars, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, Gary D. Schmidt, Dayal T. Wickramasinghe, Rolf Koch
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We have conducted a survey of 61 southern white dwarfs searching for magnetic fields using Zeeman spectropolarimetry. Our objective is to obtain a magnetic field distribution for these objects and, in particular, to find white dwarfs with weak fields. We found one possible candidate (WD 0310-688) that may have a weak magnetic field of -6.1 ±2.2 kG. Next, we determine the fraction and distribution of magnetic white dwarfs in the solar neighborhood and investigate the probability of finding more of these objects based on the current incidence of magnetism in white dwarfs within 20 pc of the Sun. We have …
Iron In Hot Da White Dwarfs, Stéphane Vennes, Pierre Chayer, Jean François Dupuis, Thierry M. Lanz
Iron In Hot Da White Dwarfs, Stéphane Vennes, Pierre Chayer, Jean François Dupuis, Thierry M. Lanz
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present a study of the iron abundance pattern in hot, hydrogen-rich (DA) white dwarfs. The study is based on new and archival far-ultraviolet spectroscopy of a sample of white dwarfs in the temperature range 30,000 K ≲ Teff ≲ 64,000 K. The spectra obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer, along with spectra obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and the International Ultraviolet Explorer, sample Fe III-Fe VI absorption lines, enabling a detailed iron abundance analysis over a wider range of effective temperatures than previously afforded. The measurements reveal abundance variations in excess of 2 orders of …
Lp 400-22, A Very Low Mass And High-Velocity White Dwarf, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, Terry D. Oswalt, J. Allyn Smith, Nicole M. Silvestri
Lp 400-22, A Very Low Mass And High-Velocity White Dwarf, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, Terry D. Oswalt, J. Allyn Smith, Nicole M. Silvestri
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We report the identification of LP 400-22 (WD 2234+222) as a very low mass and high-velocity white dwarf. The ultraviolet GALEX and optical photometric colors and a spectral line analysis of LP 400-22 show this star to have an effective temperature of 11,080 ± 140 K and a surface gravity of log g = 6.32 ± 0.08. Therefore, this is a helium-core white dwarf with a mass of 0.17 M⊙. The tangential velocity of this white dwarf is 414 ± 43 km s-1, making it one of the fastest moving white dwarfs known. We discuss probable evolutionary scenarios for this …
Spectroscopic Identification Of Cool White Dwarfs In The Solar Neighborhood, Adela Kawka, Stéphane Vennes
Spectroscopic Identification Of Cool White Dwarfs In The Solar Neighborhood, Adela Kawka, Stéphane Vennes
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
The New Luyten Two-Tenths catalog contains a large number of high proper motion white dwarf candidates that remain to be spectroscopically confirmed. We present new spectroscopic observations, as well as SDSS archival spectra of 49 white dwarf candidates selected from the revised NLTT catalog of Salim & Gould. Of these, 34 are cool DA white dwarfs with temperatures ranging from approximately 5000 up to 11,690 K, and 11 are DC white dwarfs with temperatures ranging from 4300 K (NLTT 18555) up to 11,000 K. Three of the DA white dwarfs also display abundances of heavy elements (NLTT 3915, NLTT 44986, …
A Far-Ultraviolet Study Of The Hot White Dwarf In The Dwarf Nova Ww Ceti, Patrick Godon, Laura Seward, Edward M. Sion, Paula Szkody
A Far-Ultraviolet Study Of The Hot White Dwarf In The Dwarf Nova Ww Ceti, Patrick Godon, Laura Seward, Edward M. Sion, Paula Szkody
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present a synthetic spectral analysis of IUE archival and FUSE (Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer) far-UV spectra of the peculiar dwarf nova WW Cet. During the quiescence of WW Cet, a white dwarf with T wd ∼ 26,000 ± 1000 K can account for the far-UV flux and yields the proper distance. However, the best agreement with the observations is provided by a two-temperature white dwarf model with a cooler white dwarf at T wd = 25,000 K providing 75% of the far-UV flux and a hotter region (accretion belt or optically thick disk ring) with T = 40,000 K …
Abundance Of Elements Beyond The Iron Group In Cool Do White Dwarfs, Pierre Chayer, Stéphane Vennes, Jean Jean François, Jeffrey W. Kruk
Abundance Of Elements Beyond The Iron Group In Cool Do White Dwarfs, Pierre Chayer, Stéphane Vennes, Jean Jean François, Jeffrey W. Kruk
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We report the presence of elements beyond the iron group in the atmospheres of the cool DO white dwarfs HD 149499 B and HZ 21. Photospheric lines of germanium (Z = 32), arsenic (33), selenium (34), tin (50), tellurium (52), iodine (53), and perhaps bromine (35) are observed in ultraviolet spectra of HD 149499 B obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE), the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS), and the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Germanium, arsenic, and tellurium are also observed in FUSE and GHRS spectra of HZ 21. Light elements such as carbon, silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur are present …
The Chromospheric Activity And Ages Of M Dwarf Stars In Wide Binary Systems, Nicole M. Silvestri, Suzanne L. Hawley, Terry D. Oswalt
The Chromospheric Activity And Ages Of M Dwarf Stars In Wide Binary Systems, Nicole M. Silvestri, Suzanne L. Hawley, Terry D. Oswalt
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We investigate the relationship between age and chromospheric activity for 139 M dwarf stars in wide binary systems with white dwarf companions. The age of each system is determined from the cooling age of its white dwarf component. The current limit for activity-age relations found for M dwarfs in open clusters is 4 Gyr. Our unique approach to finding ages for M stars allows for the exploration of this relationship at ages older than 4 Gyr. The general trend of stars remaining active for a longer time at a later spectral type is confirmed. However, our larger sample and greater …
Where Are The Magnetic White Dwarfs With Detached, Nondegenerate Companions?, James Liebert, Terry D. Oswalt
Where Are The Magnetic White Dwarfs With Detached, Nondegenerate Companions?, James Liebert, Terry D. Oswalt
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has already more than doubled the sample of white dwarfs with spectral classi- fications, the subset with detached M dwarf companions, and the subset of magnetic white dwarfs. In the course of assessing these new discoveries, we have noticed a curious, unexpected property of the total lists of magnetic white dwarfs and of white dwarf plus main-sequence binaries: there appears to be virtually zero overlap between the two samples! No confirmed magnetic white dwarf has yet been found in such a pairing with a main-sequence star. The same statement can be made for the samples …
Spectroscopic And Photometric Analysis Of Hs 1136+6646: A Hot Young Dao+K7 V Post-Common-Envelope, Pre-Cataclysmic Variable Binary, David K. Sing, Terry D. Oswalt, Mark J. Rudkin, K Johnston, S Rafferty
Spectroscopic And Photometric Analysis Of Hs 1136+6646: A Hot Young Dao+K7 V Post-Common-Envelope, Pre-Cataclysmic Variable Binary, David K. Sing, Terry D. Oswalt, Mark J. Rudkin, K Johnston, S Rafferty
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
Extensive photometric and spectroscopic observations have been obtained for HS 1136+6646. The observations reveal a newly formed post–common-envelope binary system containing a hot ~DAO.5 primary and a highly irradiated secondary. HS 1136+6646 is the most extreme example yet of a class of short-period hot H-rich white dwarfs with K–M companion systems such as V471 Tau and Feige 24. HS 1136+6646 is a double-line spectroscopic binary showing emission lines of H I, He II, C II, Ca II, and Mg II, due in part to irradiation of the K7 V secondary by the hot white dwarf. Echelle spectra reveal the hydrogen …
Constraining The Evolution Of Zz Ceti, Anjum S. Mukadam, Matt A. Wood, Nicole M. Silvestri
Constraining The Evolution Of Zz Ceti, Anjum S. Mukadam, Matt A. Wood, Nicole M. Silvestri
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We report our analysis of the stability of pulsation periods in the DAV star (pulsating hydrogen atmosphere white dwarf) ZZ Ceti, also called R548. On the basis of observations that span 31 years, we conclude that the period 213. 13 s observed in ZZ Ceti drifts at a rate dP/dt ≤ (5.5 ± 1.9) × 10ˉ¹⁵ s sˉ¹, after correcting for proper motion. Our results are consistent with previous Ṗ values for this mode and an improvement over them because of the larger time base. The characteristic stability timescale implied for the pulsation period is | Ṗ / |≥ 1.2 …
Wide Binary Systems And The Nature Of High-Velocity White Dwarfs, Nicole M. Silvestri, Terry D. Oswalt, Suzanne L. Hawley
Wide Binary Systems And The Nature Of High-Velocity White Dwarfs, Nicole M. Silvestri, Terry D. Oswalt, Suzanne L. Hawley
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present measured radial velocities and complete space motions for 116 white dwarf stars with M dwarf companions. Thirteen pairs have " halo-like " velocities. According to a recent study by Oppenheimer et al., all these high-velocity white dwarfs should be considered part of the dark matter heavy halo of the Galaxy, based on their kinematics. Based on the near-solar abundance levels of the M dwarf companions, we conclude that 12 of our 13 high-velocity white dwarfs are actually part of the high-velocity tail of the thick disk, rather than the dark matter halo of the Galaxy, in agreement with …
A Determination Of The Local Density Of White Dwarf Stars, Jay B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, Edward M. Sión
A Determination Of The Local Density Of White Dwarf Stars, Jay B. Holberg, Terry D. Oswalt, Edward M. Sión
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
The most recent version of the Catalog of Spectroscopically Identified White Dwarfs lists 2249 white dwarf stars. Among these stars are 109 white dwarfs that have either reliable trigonometric parallaxes or color-based distance moduli that place them at a distance within 20 pc of the Sun. Most of these nearby white dwarfs are isolated stars, but 28 (25% of the sample) are in binary systems, including such well-known systems as Sirius A/B and Procyon A/B. There are also three double degenerate systems in this sample of the local white dwarf population. The sample of local white dwarfs is largely complete …
White Dwarfs In Common Proper Motion Binary Systems: Mass Distribution And Kinematics, Nicole M. Silvestri, Terry D. Oswalt, Matt A. Wood, Jonathan Allyn Smith, Iain Neill Reid, Edward M. Sión
White Dwarfs In Common Proper Motion Binary Systems: Mass Distribution And Kinematics, Nicole M. Silvestri, Terry D. Oswalt, Matt A. Wood, Jonathan Allyn Smith, Iain Neill Reid, Edward M. Sión
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
We present the mass distribution, gravitational redshifts, radial velocities, and space motions of white dwarf stars in common proper motion binary systems. The mass distribution we derive for the 41 DA white dwarfs in this study has a mean of 0.68 ± 0.04 M⊙. This distribution has a slightly higher mean and larger dispersion than most previous white dwarf studies. We hypothesize that this is due to a higher fraction of cool (average Teff ~ 10,000 K), hence old, white dwarfs in our sample. Our results indicate that samples made up of predominantly cool, old white dwarf stars tend to …
White Dwarf Cosmochronometry. I. Monte Carlo Simulations Of Proper-Motion And Magnitude-Limited Samples Using Schmidt's 1/Vmax Estimator, Matt A. Wood, Terry D. Oswalt
White Dwarf Cosmochronometry. I. Monte Carlo Simulations Of Proper-Motion And Magnitude-Limited Samples Using Schmidt's 1/Vmax Estimator, Matt A. Wood, Terry D. Oswalt
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
Observationally, white dwarf stars are a remarkably homogeneous class with a minimum observed Teff ∼ 4000 K. Theoretically, the physics that determines their cooling timescales is relatively more straightforward than that which determines main-sequence evolutionary timescales. As a result, the white dwarf luminosity function has for the last decade been used as a probe of the age and star formation rate of the Galactic disk, providing an estimated local disk age of ∼ 10 Gyr with estimated total uncertainties of roughly 20%. A long-standing criticism of the technique is that the reality of the reported downturn in the luminosity function …
White Dwarfs In Globular Clusters: Hubble Space Telescope Observations Of M4, Harvey B. Richer, Matt A. Wood
White Dwarfs In Globular Clusters: Hubble Space Telescope Observations Of M4, Harvey B. Richer, Matt A. Wood
Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications
Using WFPC2 on the Hubble Space Telescope, we have isolated a sample of 258 white dwarfs (WDs) in the Galactic globular cluster M4. Fields at three radial distances from the cluster center were observed, and sizable WD populations were found in all three. The location of these WDs in the color-magnitude diagram, their mean mass of 0.51(±0.03) M⊙, and their luminosity function confirm basic tenets of stellar evolution theory and support the results from current WD cooling theory. The WDs are used to extend the cluster main-sequence mass function upward to stars that have already completed their nuclear evolution. The …