TESS Reveals a Short-period Sub-Neptune Sibling (HD 86226c) to a Known Long-period Giant Planet
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ABSTRACT Ultracompact binary systems, consisting of two compact objects in an orbit $$\lesssim 0.5 {\rm R}_\odot$$, should exhibit measurable rates of orbital period change ($$\dot{P} \ne 0$$) due to the emission of gravitational waves (GWs). Measurements of $$\dot{P}$$ have so far been limited to the shortest-period ultracompact binaries ($$\lesssim 20$$ min). Among the AM CVn-type subclass, several works have proposed the presence of extra angular momentum loss beyond GW emission, with magnetic braking being a widely discussed mechanism. If present, this magnetic braking would dominate the angular momentum loss of AM CVn-type binaries with orbital periods $$\gtrsim 30$$ min. In this work, we present a long-term eclipse timing study of two AM CVn-type binaries, YZ LMi and Gaia14aae, with respective orbital periods of 28.3 min and 49.7 min and continuous observations since 2006 and 2015. Both systems show $$\dot{P}$$ consistent with zero within $$2\sigma$$. Their $$3\sigma$$ upper limits are $$1.1 \times 10^{-13}\, {\rm s \, s}^{-1}$$ and $$9.7 \times 10^{-14}\, {\rm s \, s}^{-1}$$, respectively. These non-detections are most simply explained by a scenario in which secular angular momentum loss is not substantially stronger than GW emission at all orbital periods, but is combined with deviations from the secular $$\dot{P}$$ whose time-scales span decades but whose amplitude is $$\lesssim 10^{-13}\, {\rm s \, s}^{-1}$$. Our non-detections of $$\dot{P}$$ represent a limit on the strength of any enhanced angular momentum loss beyond pure GW emission.more » « less
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Abstract We report the discovery of an isolated white dwarf with a spin period of 70 s. We obtained high-speed photometry of three ultramassive white dwarfs within 100 pc and discovered significant variability in one. SDSS J221141.80+113604.4 is a 1.27 M ⊙ (assuming a CO core) magnetic white dwarf that shows 2.9% brightness variations in the BG40 filter with a 70.32 ± 0.04 s period, becoming the fastest spinning isolated white dwarf currently known. A detailed model atmosphere analysis shows that it has a mixed hydrogen and helium atmosphere with a dipole field strength of B d = 15 MG. Given its large mass, fast rotation, strong magnetic field, unusual atmospheric composition, and relatively large tangential velocity for its cooling age, J2211+1136 displays all of the signatures of a double white dwarf merger remnant. Long-term monitoring of the spin evolution of J2211+1136 and other fast-spinning isolated white dwarfs opens a new discovery space for substellar and planetary mass companions around white dwarfs. In addition, the discovery of such fast rotators outside of the ZZ Ceti instability strip suggests that some should also exist within the strip. Hence, some of the monoperiodic variables found within the instability strip may be fast-spinning white dwarfs impersonating ZZ Ceti pulsators.more » « less
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