Bibcode
Brown, Warren R.; Kilic, Mukremin; Allende-Prieto, C.; Kenyon, Scott J.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 723, Issue 2, pp. 1072-1081 (2010).
Advertised on:
11
2010
Journal
Citations
173
Refereed citations
153
Description
We analyze radial velocity observations of the 12 extremely low-mass
(ELM), with <=0.25 M sun, white dwarfs (WDs) in the MMT
Hypervelocity Star Survey. Eleven of the twelve WDs are binaries with
orbital periods shorter than 14 hr; the one non-variable WD is possibly
a pole-on system among our non-kinematically selected targets. Our
sample is unique: it is complete in a well-defined range of apparent
magnitude and color. The orbital mass functions imply that the unseen
companions are most likely other WDs, although neutron star companions
cannot be excluded. Six of the eleven systems with orbital solutions
will merge within a Hubble time due to the loss of angular momentum
through gravitational wave radiation. The quickest merger is J0923+3028,
a g = 15.7 ELM WD binary with a 1.08 hr orbital period and a <=130
Myr merger time. The chance of a supernova Ia event among our ELM WDs is
only 1%-7%, however. Three binary systems (J0755+4906, J1233+1602, and
J2119-0018) have extreme mass ratios and will most likely form stable
mass-transfer AM CVn systems. Two of these objects, SDSS J1233+1602 and
J2119-0018, are the lowest surface gravity WDs ever found; both show Ca
II absorption likely from accretion of circumbinary material. We predict
that at least one of our WDs is an eclipsing detached double WD system,
important for constraining helium core WD models.
Based on observations obtained at the MMT Observatory, a joint facility
of the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona.
Related projects
Chemical Abundances in Stars
Stellar spectroscopy allows us to determine the properties and chemical compositions of stars. From this information for stars of different ages in the Milky Way, it is possible to reconstruct the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, as well as the origin of the elements heavier than boron, created mainly in stellar interiors. It is also possible to
Carlos
Allende Prieto