Measuring the masses of magnetic white dwarfs with NuSTAR: A Legacy Survey
Abstract
The X-ray spectra of intermediate polars can be modeled to give a direct measurement of white dwarf mass. However, as the characteristic temperature of the standing shock located above the white dwarf is typically >10 keV, we require telescopes capable of detecting hard X-rays. The emergence of NuSTAR as the first telescope capable of focusing hard X-rays has brought about the ability to perform high-angular resolution spectroscopy beyond 20 keV, making it the ideal observatory to perform a survey of accurate white dwarf masses in intermediate polars. In November 2017 we commenced a survey of magnetic cataclysmic variables under the NuSTAR Legacy Survey program. I will present initial results from the survey, which intends to constrain the mass distribution of magnetic white dwarfs in our Galaxy, and in turn has important implications for binary evolution models.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #235
- Pub Date:
- January 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AAS...23543501S