Characterizing planetary material accreted by cool helium-atmosphere white dwarfs using an exponentially decaying disc model
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Mairi W O’Brien↗
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Precision X-ray Timing of RX J0806.3+1527 with CHANDRA: Evidence for Gravitational Radiation from an Ultracompact Binary
RX J0806.3+1527 is a candidate double degenerate binary with possibly the shortest known orbital period. The source shows an $\approx 100 \%$ X-ray intensity modulation at the putative orbital frequency of 3.11 mHz (321.5 s). If the system is a detached, ultracompact binary gravitational radiation should drive spin-up with a magnitude of $\dot\nu \sim 10(exp -16)$ Hi s$(exp -l}$. Efforts to constrain the X-ray frequency evolution to date have met with mixed success, principally due to the sparseness of earlier observations. Here we describe the results of the first phase coherent X-ray monitoring campaign on RX J0806.3+1527 with {\it Chandra) . We obtained a total of 70 ksec of exposure in 6 epochs logarithmically spaced over 320 days. With these data we conclusively show that the X-ray frequency is increasing at a rate of $3.77 \pm\ 0.8 \times l0(exp -16)$ Hz s$(exp -l)$. Using the ephemeris derived from the new data we are able to phase up all the earlier {\it Chandra) and ROSAT data and show they are consistent with a constant $\dot\nu = 3.63 \pm 0.06 \times 10(exp -16)$ Hz s$(exp -1)s over the past decade. This value appears consistent with that recently derived by Israel et al. largely from monitoring of the optical modulation, and is in rough agreement with the solutions reported initially by Hakala et al., based on ground-based optical observations. The large and stable $\dot\nu$ over a decade is consistent with gravitational radiation losses driving the evolution. An intermediate polar (IP) scenario where the observed X-ray period is the spin period of an accreting white dwarf appears less tenable because the observed $\dot\nu$ requires an $\dot m \approx 2 \times 10(exp -8)$ $M-{\odot)$ yr$(exp -l)$, that is much larger than that inferred from the observed X-ray luminosity (although this depends on the uncertain distance and bolometric corrections), and it is difficult to drive such a high $\dot m$ in a binary system with parameters consistent with all the multiwavelength data. If the ultracompact scenario is
Strohmayer, Tod↗
The 1979 X-ray outburst of Cen X-4
X-ray observations of the first major outburst (since its initial discovery in 1969) of the "classical" transient X-ray source Cen X-4 were obtained with the Ariel 5 All-Sky Monitor. The flare light curve exhibits a double-peaked maximum at a level of approximately 4 times the Crab nebula, and its duration and characteristic decay time scale are the shortest yet observed from the class of "soft" X-ray transients. A total X-ray output of approximately 3 x 10 to the 43rd power ergs, a factor of approximately 20 less than that of the 1969 outburst is estimated. In addition, evidence is found for a regular modulation of the flux during the decline phase at a period of 8.2 plus or minus 0.2 hours. The existing data are consistent with a source model involving episodic mass exchange from a late-type dwarf onto a neutron star comparison in a relatively close binary system.
Kaluzienski, L. J.↗
The 1979 X-ray outburst of Centaurus X-4
X-ray observations of the first major outburst of the classical transient X-ray source Centaurus X-4 since its discovery in 1969 are presented. The observations were obtained in May, 1979, with the all-sky monitor on board Ariel 5. The flare light curve is shown to exhibit many of the characteristics of other transients, including a double-peaked maximum, as well as significant, apparently random, variations and a lower peak flux and shorter duration than the 1969 event. Application of a standard epoch-folding technique to data corrected for linear decay trends indicates a possible source modulation at 0.3415 days (8.2 hours). Comparison of the results with previous other data on Cen X-4 and the characteristics of the soft X-ray transients allows a total X-ray output of approximately 3 x 10 to the 43rd ergs to be estimated, and reveals the duration and decay time of the 1979 Cen X-4 outburst to be the shortest yet observed from soft X-ray transients. The observations are explained in terms of episodic mass exchange from a late-type dwarf onto a neutron star companion in a relatively close binary system.
Kaluzienski, L. J.↗
Two peculiar subclasses of cool DB stars - The DBA's and the DBZ's
This paper reviews several recent observational investigations which have demonstrated that a significant number of white dwarfs with He-dominated photospheres contain trace hydrogen. In addition, follow-up work on the Case Blue Star survey has uncovered an analog of GD 40 - another DBZ star. Various scenarios for their origin are discussed. The paper concludes with a brief synopsis of a discussion of how many more subclasses of white dwarf stars might exist and what it would take to discover them.
Shipman, Harry L.↗
Active late-type stars
The basic mechanisms and characteristics of stellar activity in evolved stars are discussed, summarizing and analyzing the results of ground-based and space observations obtained in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The types of active stars, the parameters controlling activity, and the underlying astrophysics are reviewed; the specific applications of optical and IR photometry, optical and UV spectroscopy, X-ray photometry and spectroscopy, and radio observations are considered; and particular attention is given to results on RS CVn systems and M dwarfs. Extensive diagrams, graphs, and tables of numerical data are included.
Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗
The detectability of brown dwarfs - Predictions and uncertainties
In order to determine the likelihood for the detection of isolated brown dwarfs in ground-based observations as well as in future spaced-based astronomy missions, and in order to evaluate the significance of any detections that might be made, we must first know the expected surface density of brown dwarfs on the celestial sphere as a function of limiting magnitude, wavelength band, and Galactic latitude. It is the purpose of this paper to provide theoretical estimates of this surface density, as well as the range of uncertainty in these estimates resulting from various theoretical uncertainties. We first present theoretical cooling curves for low-mass stars that we have computed with the latest version of our stellar evolution code. We use our evolutionary results to compute theoretical brown-dwarf luminosity functions for a wide range of assumed initial mass functions and stellar birth rate functions. The luminosity functions, in turn, are utilized to compute theoretical surface density functions for brown dwarfs on the celestial sphere. We find, in particular, that for reasonable theoretical assumptions, the currently available upper bounds on the brown-dwarf surface density are consistent with the possibility that brown dwarfs contribute a substantial fraction of the mass of the Galactic disk.
Nelson, L. A.↗
A High Spectral Resolution Study of the Soft X-Ray Background with the X-Ray Quantum Calorimeter
We present here a combined analysis of four high spectral resolution observations of the Diffuse X-ray Background, made using the University of Wisconsin-Madison/ Goddard Space Flight Center X-ray Quantum Calorimeter sounding rocket payload. The observed spectra support the existence of a ∼0.1 keV Local Hot Bubble and a ∼0.2 keV Hot Halo, with discrepancies between repeated observations compatible with expected contributions of time-variable emission from Solar Wind Charge Exchange. An additional component of ∼0.9 keV emission observed only at low galactic latitudes can be consistently explained by unresolved dwarf M stars.
Dallas Wulf↗
A surprise at the bottom of the main sequence: Rapid rotation and NO H-alpha emission
We report Kech Observatory high-resolution echelle spectra from 640-850 nm for eight stars near the faint end of the main sequence. These spectra are the highest resolution spectra of such late-type stars, and clearly resolve the TiO, VO, and atomic lines. The sample includes the field brown-dwarf candidate, BRI 0021-0214 (M9.5+). Very unexpectedly, it shows the most rapid rotation in the entire samples, v sin i approximately 40 km/s, which is 20x faster than typical field nonemission M stars. Equally surprising is that BRI 0021 exhibits no emission or absorptionat H-alpha. We argue that this absence is not simply due to its cool photosphere, but that stellar activity declines in a fundamental way at the end of the main sequence. As it is the first very late M dwarf observed at high spectral resolution, BRI 0021 may be signaling a qualitative change in the angular momentum loss rate among the lowest mass stars. Conventionally, its rapid rotation would have marked BRI 0021 as very young, consistent with the selection effect which arises if the latest-type dwarfs are really brown dwarfs on cooling curves. In any case, it is unprecedented to find no sign of stellar activity in such a rapidly rotating convective star. We also discuss the possible conflict between this observation and the extremely strong H-alpha seen in another very cool star, PC 0025+0447. Extrapolation of M-L relations for BRI 0021 yields M approximately 0.065 solar mass, and the other sample objects have expected masses near the H-burning limit. These include two Pleiades brown-dwarf candidates, four field M6 dwarfs and one late-type T Tauri star. The two Pleiades M6 dwarfs have v sin i of 26 and 37 km/s, H-alpha in emission, and radial velocities consistent with Pleiades M6 dwarfs have v sin i of 26 and 37 km/s, H-alpha in emission, and radial velocities consistent with Pleiades membership. Similarly, the late-type T Tauri star has v sin i approximately 30 km/s and H alpha emission indicate of its youth. Two of the four late-type field dMe star also exhibit rotation above 5 km/s, consistent with expectations. BRI 0021 has no measurable absoprtion due to lithium, indicating that it is likely to be more massive than 0.065 solar mass.
Basri, Gibor↗
Extreme-UV and far-UV observations of the white dwarf HZ 43 from Voyager 2
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Holberg, J. B.↗
CTCVJ2056-3014: An X-Ray-Faint Intermediate Polar Harboring an Extremely Fast-Spinning White Dwarf
We report on XMM-Newton X-ray observations that reveal CTCV J2056-3014 to be an unusual accretion-powered, intermediate polar (IP) system. It is a member of the class of X-ray-faint IPs whose space density remains unconstrained but potentially very high, with L(sub χ,0.3-12 keV of 1.8 × 10(exp 31) erg s(exp -1). We discovered a coherent 29.6 s pulsation in X-rays that was also revealed in our reanalysis of published optical data, showing that the system harbors the fastest-spinning, securely known white dwarf (WD) so far. There is no substantial X-ray absorption in the system. Accretion occurs at a modest rate (∼6 × 10(exp -12)M(sub ⨀) yr(exp -1) in a tall shock above the WD, while the star seems to be spinning in equilibrium and to have low magnetic fields. Further studies of CTCV J2056-3014 potentially have broad implications on the origin of magnetic fields in WDs, on the population and evolution of magnetic cataclysmic variables, and also on the physics of matter around rapidly rotating magnetic WDs.
Cataclysmic variable stars↗
Detection of an extreme-ultraviolet source in the Southern sky
The 3700 square degrees around the South Equatorial Pole have been surveyed using a broad-band photometer with peak response at 90 A. One source was detected at about the same intensity as HZ 43. An extrapolation of the results implies that there are about 10 extreme-ultraviolet objects over the whole sky which are as bright as HZ 43. Implications of these results for theories of white dwarf evolution are briefly discussed.
Henry, P.↗
Discovery of X-rays from the 40 Eridani system
The detection of a point source of soft X-rays (H0405-08) consistent with the position of the nearby triple star system 40 Eridani is reported. The source, which has a temperature near 10 million K, has a flux of 3 x 10 to the -11th erg/sqcm-sec at earth, implying a luminosity of 9(+ or -3) x 10 to the 28th erg/s at the distance of 40 Eridani. The likely source of the bulk of the X-rays is considered, including the K1 dwarf, the DA white dwarf, the dwarf M4 flare star, or accretion onto the white dwarf.
Cash, W.↗
A K band deep galaxy survey
The results of a K-band deep-imaging survey, with a 5 sigma limit of K = 21.4 for galaxy detection, are reported. Number counts from K = 16.5 to K = 21.25 are given. Comparison with optical survey data on the field shows objects as red as (I-K) = 5 which most probably correspond to high-redshift (z of about 2) normal galaxies. No evidence is seen for any population of high-z protogalaxies or brown dwarfs. The results are placed in the context of extragalactic background light measurements.
Cowie, L. L.↗
Formation of Brown Dwarfs LTSA 2001
The goals of the work funded by this grant are: (1) The measurement of the mass function and minimum mass of free-floating brown dwarfs down to the mass of Jupiter; (2) The measurement of the frequency of wide brown dwarf and planetary companions down to the mass of Jupiter as function of primary mass (0.02-2 Msun), age (1-10 Myr), and environment (clusters vs. dispersed regions). For the first objective, we have completed the design of guaranteed SIRTF observations of nearby star-forming regions and now await the launch of the mission in April 2003. In support of these upcoming observations, in the fall of 2002 we obtained optical spectroscopy at the MMT and the 1.5-meter telescope at Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory for candidate young low-mass stars and brown dwarfs in the IC348 and Taurus star-forming regions. Two papers that include these data in new measurements of the mass functions in these regions are near completion and will be submitted for publication to the Astrophysical Journal in January. We have also proposed deep optical and near-IR imaging of the SIRTF fields in the IC348, Chamaeleon, and Ophiuchus star-forming regions with the MMT, Magellan, and Gemini North telescopes in early 2003. For the second objective, we have used deep HST WFPC2 images to search for young giant planets and brown dwarfs around approximately 100 low-mass stars and brown dwarfs in the nearby cluster IC 348. We have completed all data reduction and have checked these data for candidate companions. We are in the process of writing a paper that describes these candidate companions and presents the companion detection limits that were achieved with HST. We will attempt followup spectroscopy of the most promising candidate companions to confirm their nature as cool companions rather than background field stars during the commissioning of the facility adaptive optics system for the Gemini North telescope early in 2003. In addition, in SIRTF guaranteed time observations we plan to search for wide substellar companions (greater than 10 inches) around the youngest nearby field stars (ages of 30-100 Myr, d less than 30 pc). We have proposed to use Keck adaptive optics imaging to search these same stars for close-in planets and brown dwarfs at 0.1-l0 inches, which will perfectly complement our SIRTF observations.
Luhman, Kevin L.↗
Formation of Brown Dwarfs LTSA 2001
The goals of the work funded by this grant are: 1) The measurement of the mass function and minimum mass of free-floating brown dwarfs down to the mass of Jupiter; 2) The measurement of the frequency of wide brown dwarf and planetary companions down to the mass of Jupiter as function of primary mass (0.02-2 Msun), age (1-10 Myr), and environment (clusters vs. dispersed regions). For the first objective, we have completed the design of guaranteed SIRTF observations of nearby star-forming regions. With the successful launch of the SIRTF mission in August of 2003, we now await the execution of these observations, which should begin in early 2004. In support of these upcoming observations, in the fall of 2002 and spring of 2003 we obtained optical spectroscopy at the MMT, the 1.5 meter telescope at Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory, and Magellan Observatory for several hundred candidate young low-mass stars and brown dwarfs in the IC348, Taurus, and Chamaeleon star-forming regions. All of these data have been published in three papers in The Astrophysical Journal. We also recently used the MMT to obtain deep near-IR images of IC348 to accompany the SIRTF images and have time in the next month at the IRTF and Keck for spectroscopy of candidate brown dwarfs in IC348 and Taurus. We have submitted proposals for deep optical and near-IR imaging of the SIRTF fields in Chamaeleon and Ophiuchus for spring 2004 with Magellan and the AAT. Results from this research have been presented in invited talks at UU Symposium 221 (July 2003) and at the SIRTF Galactic Science Workshop (August 2003). For the second objective, we have used deep HST WFPC2 images to search for young giant planets and brown dwarfs around approx. 100 low-mass stars and brown dwarfs in the nearby cluster IC348. We have completed all data reduction and have checked these data for candidate companions. We expect to submit the paper describing these observations to The Astrophysical Journal by the end of the year. In addition, in SIRTF guaranteed time observations we plan to search for wide substellar companions (>10 sec) around the youngest nearby field stars (ages of 30-100 Myr, d<30 pc). We have submitted a proposal to use Keck adaptive optics imaging to search these same stars for close-in planets and brown dwarfs at 0.1-10 sec, which will perfectly complement our SIRTF observations.
Luhman, Kevin L.↗
Neptune’s Dynamic Atmosphere from Kepler K2 Observations: Implications for Brown Dwarf Light Curve Analyses
Observations of Neptune with the Kepler Space Telescope yield a 49-day light curve with 98% coverage at a 1-minute cadence. A significant signature in the light curve comes from discrete cloud features. We compare results extracted from the light curve data with contemporaneous disk-resolved imaging of Neptune from the Keck 10-meter and Hubble Space Telescope. The direct comparison validates the zonal wind profile and cloud feature variability information extracted from the light curve. Neptune’s clouds vary in location and intensity on short and long time scales, with large discrete storms dominating the light curves; smaller or fainter clouds contribute to its variability. This has implications for the interpretation of information extracted from light curves of directly imaged exoplanets and cloudy brown dwarfs.
Simon, Amy A.↗
Final evolution of a low-mass star. I
Low mass star evolution from helium burning to white dwarf, describing red giant and mass loss stages in model
Rose, W. K.↗