A study of high proper-motion white dwarfs - I. Spectropolarimetry of a cool hydrogen-rich sample
Abstract
We conducted a spectropolarimetic survey of 58 high proper-motion white dwarfs which achieved uncertainties of >rsim 2 kG in the Hα line and >rsim 5 kG in the upper Balmer line series. The survey aimed at detecting low magnetic fields (≲ 100 kG) and helped identify the new magnetic white dwarfs NLTT 2219, with a longitudinal field Bl = -97 kG, and NLTT 10480 (Bl = -212 kG). Furthermore, we report the possible identification of a very low-field white dwarf with Bl = -4.6 kG. The observations show that ≈5 per cent of white dwarfs harbour low fields (∼10 to ∼102 kG) and that increased survey sensitivity may help uncover several new magnetic white dwarfs with fields below ∼1 kG. A series of observations of the high-field white dwarf NLTT 12758 revealed changes in polarity occurring within an hour possibly associated with an inclined, fast rotating dipole. Also, the relative strength of the π and σ components in NLTT 12758 possibly revealed the effect of a field concentration ('spot'), or, most likely, the presence of a non-magnetic white dwarf companion. Similar observations of NLTT 13015 also showed possible polarity variations, but without a clear indication of the time-scale. The survey data also proved useful in constraining the chemical composition, age and kinematics of a sample of cool white dwarfs as well as in constraining the incidence of double degenerates. Based on observations made with ESO telescopes at the La Silla Paranal Observatory under programme IDs 80.D-0521, 82.D-0521, 83.D-0750 and 84.D-0862.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- September 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2012.21574.x
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1206.5113
- Bibcode:
- 2012MNRAS.425.1394K
- Keywords:
-
- stars: fundamental parameters;
- stars: magnetic field;
- white dwarfs;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Accepted for publication in MNRAS