Follow-up observations of the second and third known pulsating hot dq white dwarfs

P. Dufour, E. M. Green, G. Fontaine, P. Brassard, M. Francoeur, M. Latour

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present follow-up time-series photometric observations that confirm and extend the results of the significant discovery made by Barlow et al. that the Hot DQ white dwarfs SDSS J220029.08 - 074121.5 and SDSS J234843.30 - 094245.3 are luminosity variable. These are the second and third known members of a new class of pulsating white dwarfs, after the prototype SDSS J142625.71+575218.3. We find that the light curve of SDSS J220029.08 - 074121.5 is dominated by an oscillation at 654.397 0.056 s, and that the light pulse folded on that period is highly nonlinear due to the presence of the first and second harmonic of the main pulsation. We also present evidence for the possible detection of two additional pulsation modes with low amplitudes and periods of 577.576 0.226 s and 254.732 0.048 s in that star. Likewise, we find that the light curve of SDSS J234843.30 - 094245.3 is dominated by a pulsation with a period of 1044.168 0.012 s, but with no sign of harmonic components. A new oscillation, with a low amplitude and a period of 416.919 0.004 s, is also probably detected in that second star. We argue, on the basis of the very different folded pulse shapes, that SDSS J220029.08 - 074121.5 is likely magnetic, while SDSS J234843.30 - 094245.3 is probably not.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)240-251
Number of pages12
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume703
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Keywords

  • Atmospheres
  • Evolution
  • Individual (SDSS J2200?0741, SDSS J2348?0943)
  • Oscillations
  • Stars
  • White dwarfs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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