On the empirical evidence for the existence of ultramassive white dwarfs
Abstract
We re-examine the evidence for the existence of ultramassive (M > 1.1Msolar) white dwarfs based on gravitational redshift of white dwarfs in common proper motion binaries or in clusters, on parallax measurements, on orbital solutions and, finally, on the analysis of hydrogen-line profiles. We conclude that the best evidence is largely based on the analysis of Balmer-line profiles although the companion to the A8V star HR8210 is a compelling case made initially using the large binary mass function and confirmed by an analysis of the Lyman-line spectrum. The confirmation and identification of high-mass white dwarfs, more particularly non-hydrogen-rich (non-DA) white dwarfs, using parallax measurements may prove critical in establishing the population fraction of these objects and in constraining the high end of empirical initial-mass to final-mass relations. The existence of a substantial population of ultramassive white dwarfs supports the concept of a steeper initial-mass to final-mass relations linking 6Msolar progenitors with >~1.1Msolar white dwarfs.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- September 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13652.x
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0806.4742
- Bibcode:
- 2008MNRAS.389.1367V
- Keywords:
-
- stars: evolution;
- stars: fundamental parameters;
- white dwarfs;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Accepted for publication in MNRAS (with an updated discussion on GD362)