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Title: WD J004917.14−252556.81: the most massive pulsating white dwarf
ABSTRACT

We present Apache Point Observatory (APO) and Gemini time-series photometry of WD J004917.14−252556.81, an ultramassive DA white dwarf with $T_{\rm eff} = 13\, 020$ K and log g = 9.34. We detect variability at two significant frequencies, making J0049−2525 the most massive pulsating white dwarf currently known with M⋆ = 1.31 M⊙ (for a CO core) or 1.26 M⊙ (for an ONe core). J0049−2525 does not display any of the signatures of binary mergers, there is no evidence of magnetism, large tangential velocity, or rapid rotation. Hence, it likely formed through single star evolution and is likely to have an ONe core. Evolutionary models indicate that its interior is ≳99 per cent crystallized. Asteroseismology offers an unprecedented opportunity to probe its interior structure. However, the relatively few pulsation modes detected limit our ability to obtain robust seismic solutions. Instead, we provide several representative solutions that could explain the observed properties of this star. Extensive follow-up time-series photometry of this unique target has the potential to discover a significant number of additional pulsation modes that would help overcome the degeneracies in the asteroseismic fits, and enable us to probe the interior of an ≈1.3 M⊙ crystallized white dwarf.

 
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Award ID(s):
2205736 1906379
NSF-PAR ID:
10408948
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Oxford University Press
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume:
522
Issue:
2
ISSN:
0035-8711
Page Range / eLocation ID:
p. 2181-2187
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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