An isolated white dwarf with 317 s rotation and magnetic emission
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Reding, Joshua S.
Hermes, J.J.
Vanderbosch, Z.
Dennihy, Erik
Kaiser, B.C.
Mace, C.B.
Dunlap, B.H.
Clemens, J.C.
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Joshua S Reding, J.J. Hermes, Z. Vanderbosch, E. Dennihy, B.C. Kaiser, C.B. Mace, B.H. Dunlap, J.C. Clemens. "An Isolated White Dwarf with 317 s Rotation and Magnetic Emission." The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 894, Issue 1, pp. 19 - 19. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab8239
Abstract
We report the discovery of short-period photometric variability and modulated Zeeman-split hydrogen emission in SDSSJ125230.93−023417.72 (EPIC 228939929), a variable white dwarf star observed at long cadence in K2 Campaign 10. The behavior is associated with a magnetic (B = 5.0 MG) spot on the stellar surface, making the 317.278 s period a direct measurement of the stellar rotation rate. This object is therefore the fastest-rotating, apparently isolated (without a stellar companion) white dwarf yet discovered and the second found to exhibit chromospheric Balmer emission after GD 356, in which the emission has been attributed to a unipolar inductor mechanism driven by a possible rocky planet. We explore the properties and behavior of this object, and consider whether its evolution may hold implications for white dwarf mergers and their remnants.
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