The Rotationally Modulated Zeeman Spectrum at Nearly 10 9 Gauss of the White Dwarf PG 1031+234
Abstract
Detailed analyses are performed of high-quality, phase-resolved CCD spectroscopy of the absorption-line spectrum throughout its rotation period of the new white dwarf PG 1031 + 234. The spectral variations are discussed and compared with new theoretical calculations of the behavior of hydrogen in strong magnetic fields. This analysis is then extended through a modeling procedure which produces a synthetic magnetically distorted spectrum for a star of arbitrary field strength and structure. The results confirm that PG 1031 + 234 possesses the strongest field yet detected on a white dwarf, with regions on the surface spanning the range of about 200 to nearly 1000 MG. The spectroscopic data reflect a field pattern containing a slightly offset global component of polar field strength of about 500 MG together with a localized magnetic 'spot' whose central field approaches 2000 MG.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1987
- DOI:
- 10.1086/165543
- Bibcode:
- 1987ApJ...320..308L
- Keywords:
-
- Light (Visible Radiation);
- Stellar Atmospheres;
- Stellar Magnetic Fields;
- Stellar Rotation;
- White Dwarf Stars;
- Zeeman Effect;
- Circular Polarization;
- Computational Astrophysics;
- Magnetic Field Configurations;
- Morphology;
- Optical Polarization;
- Signal To Noise Ratios;
- Astrophysics;
- ATOMIC PROCESSES;
- STARS: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: PG 1031;
- 234;
- STARS: MAGNETIC;
- STARS: WHITE DWARFS