Measuring the evolutionary rate of cooling of ZZ Ceti

We have finally measured the evolutionary rate of cooling of the pulsating hydrogen atmosphere (DA) white dwarf ZZ Ceti (Ross 548), as reflected by the drift rate of the 213.13260694 s period. Using 41 yr of time-series photometry from 1970 November to 2012 January, we determine the rate of change o...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Córsico, Alejandro Hugo, Romero, Alejandra Daniela
Formato: Articulo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/85098
Aporte de:
id I19-R120-10915-85098
record_format dspace
institution Universidad Nacional de La Plata
institution_str I-19
repository_str R-120
collection SEDICI (UNLP)
language Inglés
topic Ciencias Astronómicas
stars: evolution
stars: individual (ZZ Ceti, R548)
stars: oscillations (including pulsations)
stars: variables: general
white dwarfs
spellingShingle Ciencias Astronómicas
stars: evolution
stars: individual (ZZ Ceti, R548)
stars: oscillations (including pulsations)
stars: variables: general
white dwarfs
Córsico, Alejandro Hugo
Romero, Alejandra Daniela
Measuring the evolutionary rate of cooling of ZZ Ceti
topic_facet Ciencias Astronómicas
stars: evolution
stars: individual (ZZ Ceti, R548)
stars: oscillations (including pulsations)
stars: variables: general
white dwarfs
description We have finally measured the evolutionary rate of cooling of the pulsating hydrogen atmosphere (DA) white dwarf ZZ Ceti (Ross 548), as reflected by the drift rate of the 213.13260694 s period. Using 41 yr of time-series photometry from 1970 November to 2012 January, we determine the rate of change of this period with time to be dP/dt = (5.2 ± 1.4) × 10<SUP>-15</SUP> s s<SUP>-1</SUP> employing the O-C method and (5.45 ± 0.79) × 10<SUP>-15</SUP> s s<SUP>-1</SUP> using a direct nonlinear least squares fit to the entire lightcurve. We adopt the dP/dt obtained from the nonlinear least squares program as our final determination, but augment the corresponding uncertainty to a more realistic value, ultimately arriving at the measurement of dP/dt = (5.5 ± 1.0) × 10<SUP>-15</SUP> s s<SUP>-1</SUP>. After correcting for proper motion, the evolutionary rate of cooling of ZZ Ceti is computed to be (3.3 ± 1.1) × 10<SUP>-15</SUP> s s<SUP>-1</SUP>. This value is consistent within uncertainties with the measurement of (4.19 ± 0.73) × 10<SUP>-15</SUP> s s<SUP>-1</SUP> for another similar pulsating DA white dwarf, G 117-B15A. Measuring the cooling rate of ZZ Ceti helps us refine our stellar structure and evolutionary models, as cooling depends mainly on the core composition and stellar mass. Calibrating white dwarf cooling curves with this measurement will reduce the theoretical uncertainties involved in white dwarf cosmochronometry. Should the 213.13 s period be trapped in the hydrogen envelope, then our determination of its drift rate compared to the expected evolutionary rate suggests an additional source of stellar cooling. Attributing the excess cooling to the emission of axions imposes a constraint on the mass of the hypothetical axion particle.
format Articulo
Articulo
author Córsico, Alejandro Hugo
Romero, Alejandra Daniela
author_facet Córsico, Alejandro Hugo
Romero, Alejandra Daniela
author_sort Córsico, Alejandro Hugo
title Measuring the evolutionary rate of cooling of ZZ Ceti
title_short Measuring the evolutionary rate of cooling of ZZ Ceti
title_full Measuring the evolutionary rate of cooling of ZZ Ceti
title_fullStr Measuring the evolutionary rate of cooling of ZZ Ceti
title_full_unstemmed Measuring the evolutionary rate of cooling of ZZ Ceti
title_sort measuring the evolutionary rate of cooling of zz ceti
publishDate 2013
url http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/85098
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