Bibcode
Kilic, Mukremin; Brown, Warren R.; Allende-Prieto, C.; Kenyon, S. J.; Panei, J. A.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 716, Issue 1, pp. 122-130 (2010).
Advertised on:
6
2010
Journal
Citations
72
Refereed citations
62
Description
We present radial velocity observations of four extremely low-mass (0.2
M sun) white dwarfs (WDs). All four stars show peak-to-peak
radial velocity variations of 540-710 km s-1 with 1.0-5.9 hr
periods. The optical photometry rules out main-sequence companions. In
addition, no millisecond pulsar companions are detected in radio
observations. Thus, the invisible companions are most likely WDs. Two of
the systems are the shortest period binary WDs yet discovered. Due to
the loss of angular momentum through gravitational radiation, three of
the systems will merge within 500 Myr. The remaining system will merge
within a Hubble time. The mass functions for three of the systems imply
companions more massive than 0.46 M sun; thus, those are
carbon/oxygen core WDs. The unknown inclination angles prohibit a
definitive conclusion about the future of these systems. However, the
chance of a supernova Ia event is only 1%-5%. These systems are likely
to form single R Coronae Borealis stars, providing evidence for a WD +
WD merger mechanism for these unusual objects. One of the systems, SDSS
J105353.89+520031.0, has a 70% chance of having a low-mass WD companion.
This system will probably form a single helium-enriched subdwarf O star.
All four WD systems have unusual mass ratios of <=0.2-0.8 that may
also lead to the formation of AM CVn systems.
Based on observations obtained at the MMT Observatory, a joint facility
of the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Arizona.