Discovery of a widely separated ultracool dwarf–white dwarf binary

We present the discovery of the widest known ultracool dwarf–white dwarf binary. This binary is the first spectroscopically confirmed widely separated system from our target sample. We have used the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) and SuperCOSMOS archives in the southern hemisphere, searching for very widely separated ultracool dwarf–white dwarf binaries, and find one common proper motion system, with a separation of 3650–5250 au at an estimated distance of 41–59 pc, making it the widest known system of this type. Spectroscopy reveals 2MASS J0030−3740 is a DA white dwarf with   T _eff= 7600 ± 100 K, log( g ) = 7.79–8.09  and   M _WD= 0.48–0.65 M_⊙  . We spectroscopically type the ultracool dwarf companion (2MASS J0030−3739) as M9 ± 1 and estimate a mass of  0.07–0.08 M_⊙,  T _eff= 2000–2400 K  and  log( g ) = 5.30–5.35  , placing it near the mass limit for brown dwarfs. We estimate the age of the system to be >1.94 Gyr (from the white dwarf cooling age and the likely length of the main-sequence lifetime of the progenitor) and suggest that this system and other such wide binaries can be used as benchmark ultracool dwarfs.     

The DODO survey – II. A Gemini direct imaging search for substellar and planetary mass companions around nearby equatorial and Northern hemisphere white dwarfs

The aim of the Degenerate Objects around Degenerate Objects (DODO) survey is to search for very low-mass brown dwarfs and extrasolar planets in wide orbits around white dwarfs via direct imaging. The direct detection of such companions would allow the spectroscopic investigation of objects with temperatures much lower  (<500 K)  than the coolest brown dwarfs currently observed. These ultra-low-mass substellar objects would have spectral types >T8.5, and so could belong to the proposed Y dwarf spectral sequence. The detection of a planet around a white dwarf would prove that such objects can survive the final stages of stellar evolution and place constraints on the frequency of planetary systems around their progenitors (with masses between 1.5 and 8   M_⊙  , i.e. early B to mid-F). This paper presents the results of a multi epoch J band common proper motion survey of 23 nearby equatorial and Northern hemisphere white dwarfs. We rule out the presence of any common proper motion companions, with limiting masses determined from the completeness limit of each observation, to 18 white dwarfs. For the remaining five targets, the motion of the white dwarf is not sufficiently separated from the non-moving background objects in each field. These targets require additional observations to conclusively rule out the presence of any common proper motion companions. From our completeness limits, we tentatively suggest that  ≲5 per cent  of white dwarfs have substellar companions with   T _eff≳ 500 K  between projected physical separations of 60–200 au.     

Simulating Gaia performances on white dwarfs

One of the most promising space missions of the European Space Agency is the astrometric satellite Gaia , which will provide very precise astrometry and multicolour photometry, for all 1.3 billion objects to   V ∼ 20  , and radial velocities with accuracies of a few km s⁻¹ for most stars brighter than   V ∼ 17  . Consequently, full homogeneous six-dimensional phase-space information for a huge number of stars will become available. Our Monte Carlo simulator has been used to estimate the number of white dwarfs potentially observable by Gaia . From this we assess the white dwarf luminosity functions that Gaia will obtain and discuss in depth the scientific returns of Gaia in the specific field of white dwarf populations. Scientifically attainable goals include, among others, a reliable determination of the age of the Galactic disc, a better knowledge of the halo of the Milky Way and the reconstruction of the star formation history of the Galactic disc. Our results also demonstrate the potential impact of a mission such as Gaia within the context of current understanding of white dwarf cooling theory.     

Kinematics of SDSS subdwarfs: structure and substructure of the Milky Way halo

We construct a new sample of ∼1700 solar neighbourhood halo subdwarfs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), selected using a reduced proper-motion diagram. Radial velocities come from the SDSS spectra and proper motions from the light-motion curve catalogue of Bramich et al. Using a photometric parallax relation to estimate distances gives us the full phase-space coordinates. Typical velocity errors are in the range  30–50 km s⁻¹  . This halo sample is one of the largest constructed to date and the disc contamination is at a level of ≲1 per cent. This enables us to calculate the halo velocity dispersion to excellent accuracy. We find that the velocity dispersion tensor is aligned in spherical polar coordinates and that  (σ _r , σ_φ, σ_θ) = (143 ± 2, 82 ± 2, 77 ± 2) km s⁻¹  . The stellar halo exhibits no net rotation, although the distribution of   v _φ  shows tentative evidence for asymmetry. The kinematics are consistent with a mildly flattened stellar density falling with distance like   r ^−3.75  .
Using the full phase-space coordinates, we look for signs of kinematic substructure in the stellar halo. We find evidence for four discrete overdensities localized in angular momentum and suggest that they may be possible accretion remnants. The most prominent is the solar neighbourhood stream previously identified by Helmi et al., but the remaining three are new. One of these overdensities is potentially associated with a group of four globular clusters (NGC 5466, NGC 6934, M2 and M13) and raises the possibility that these could have been accreted as part of a much larger progenitor.     

A search for hidden white dwarfs in the ROSAT EUV survey — II. Discovery of a distant DA+F6/7V binary system in a direction of low-density neutral hydrogen

The ROSAT Wide Field Camera (WFC) survey of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) has provided us with evidence for the existence of a previously unidentified sample of hot white dwarfs in unresolved, detached binary systems. These stars are invisible at optical wavelengths due to the close proximity of their much more luminous companions (spectral type K or earlier). However, for companions of spectral type ∼A5 or later the white dwarfs are easily visible at far-ultraviolet wavelengths, and can be identified in spectra taken by IUE . 16 such systems have been discovered in this way through ROSAT EUVE IUE observations, including four identified by us in Paper I. In the present paper we report the results of our continuing search during the final year of IUE operations. One new system, RE J0500−364 (DA+F6/7V), has been identified. This star appears to lie at a distance of ∼500−1000 pc, making it one of the most distant white dwarfs, if not the most distant, to be detected in the EUV surveys. The very low line-of-sight neutral hydrogen volume density to this object could place a lower limit on the length of the β CMa interstellar tunnel of diffuse gas, which stretches away from the Local Bubble in a similar direction to RE J0500−364. In this paper we also analyse a number of the stars observed where no white dwarf companion was found. Some of these objects show evidence for chromospheric and coronal activity. Finally, we present an analysis of the previously known WD+active F6V binary HD 27483 (Bo¨hm-Vitense 1993), and show that, at T  ≈ 22 000 K, the white dwarf may be contributing significantly to the observed EUV flux. If so, it is one of the coolest such stars to be detected in the EUV surveys.     

The 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO Survey: the spectroscopic QSO catalogue

We present the final spectroscopic QSO catalogue from the 2dF-SDSS LRG (luminous red galaxy) and QSO (2SLAQ) survey. This is a deep,  18 < g < 21.85  (extinction corrected), sample aimed at probing in detail the faint end of the broad line active galactic nuclei luminosity distribution at   z ≲ 2.6  . The candidate QSOs were selected from SDSS photometry and observed spectroscopically with the 2dF spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This sample covers an area of 191.9 deg² and contains new spectra of 16 326 objects, of which 8764 are QSOs and 7623 are newly discovered [the remainder were previously identified by the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey (2QZ) and SDSS]. The full QSO sample (including objects previously observed in the SDSS and 2QZ surveys) contains 12 702 QSOs. The new 2SLAQ spectroscopic data set also contains 2343 Galactic stars, including 362 white dwarfs, and 2924 narrow emission-line galaxies with a median redshift of   z = 0.22  .
We present detailed completeness estimates for the survey, based on modelling of QSO colours, including host-galaxy contributions. This calculation shows that at   g ≃ 21.85  QSO colours are significantly affected by the presence of a host galaxy up to redshift   z ∼ 1  in the SDSS ugriz bands. In particular, we see a significant reddening of the objects in   g − i   towards the fainter g -band magnitudes. This reddening is consistent with the QSO host galaxies being dominated by a stellar population of age at least 2–3 Gyr.
The full catalogue, including completeness estimates, is available on-line at http://www.2slaq.info/ .     

Theoretical modelling of optical and IR spectra of brown dwarfs and ultracool dwarfs

The current state of theoretical modelling of the spectra of cool dwarfs and ultracool objects are discussed. Fits of synthetical spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in the optical and IR spectral regions to observed spectra show problems of theoretical modelling. Problems of interpretation of observed spectra are more obvious for the case of L and T dwarfs. Still even for late‐M dwarfs the situation is far from being perfect. Some examples of the .ne analysis of the spectra of ultracool dwarfs are presented. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Relation of Velocity Distribution and Mass for DA White Dwarfstwo

White dwarfs are the evolutionary endpoint of the low-and-medium mass stars. In the studies of white dwarfs, the mass of white dwarf is an important physical parameter. In this paper, we give an analysis about the velocity distribution of DA white dwarfs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), and hope to find the relation between mass and velocity distribution of white dwarfs. We get the radial velocity and tangential velocity of every DA white dwarf according to their proper motion and spectral shift. Through analyzing the velocity distribution of DA white dwarfs, we find that the small-mass white dwarfs, which are produced from the single-star evolution channel, have a relatively large velocity dispersion.     

Maximum Reduced Proper Motion method: Detection of new nearby ultracool dwarfs

In this paper, we describe how to use the Maximum Reduced Proper Motion method (Phan‐Bao et al. 2003) to detect 57 nearby L and late‐M dwarfs (d_phot ≤ 30 pc), 36 of them newly discovered. Spectroscopic observations of 43 of the 57 ultracool dwarfs were previously reported in Martín et al. (2010). These ultracool dwarfs were identified by color criteria in ∼5000 square degrees of the DENIS database and then further selected by the method for spectroscopic follow‐up to determine their spectral types and spectroscopic distances. We also report here our newly measured proper motions of these ultracool dwarfs from multi‐epoch images found in public archives (ALADIN, DSS, 2MASS, DENIS), with at least three distinct epochs and time baselines of 2 to 46 years (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Magnetic fields and rotation in white dwarfs and neutron stars

Recent spectropolarimetric observations of Ap and Bp stars with improved sensitivity have suggested that most Ap and Bp stars are magnetic with dipolar fields of at least a few hundred gauss. These new estimates suggest that the range of magnetic fluxes found for the majority of magnetic white dwarfs is similar to that of main-sequence Ap–Bp stars, thus strengthening the empirical evidence for an evolutionary link between magnetism on the main sequence and magnetism in white dwarfs. We draw parallels between the magnetic white dwarfs and the magnetic neutron stars and argue that the observed range of magnetic fields in isolated neutron stars  ( B_p ∼ 10¹¹–10¹⁵ G)  could also be explained if their mainly O-type progenitors have effective dipolar fields in the range of a few gauss to a few kilogauss, assuming approximate magnetic flux conservation with the upper limit being consistent with the recent measurement of a field of   B_p ∼ 1100 G  for θ Orion C.
In the magnetic field–rotation diagram, the magnetic white dwarfs can be divided into three groups of different origin: a significant group of strongly magnetized slow rotators  ( P _rot∼ 50 –100 yr)  that have originated from single-star evolution, a group of strongly magnetized fast rotators  ( P _rot∼ 700 s)  , typified by EUVE J0317–853, that have originated from a merger, and a group of modest rotators ( P _rot∼ hours–days) of mixed origin (single-star and CV-type binary evolution). We propose that the neutron stars may similarly divide into distinct classes at birth , and suggest that the magnetars may be the counterparts of the slowly rotating high-field magnetic white dwarfs.     

The ages and colours of cool helium-core white dwarf stars

The purpose of this work is to explore the evolution of helium-core white dwarf stars in a self-consistent way with the predictions of detailed non-grey model atmospheres and element diffusion. To this end, we consider helium-core white dwarf models with stellar masses of 0.406, 0.360, 0.327, 0.292, 0.242, 0.196 and 0.169 M_⊙ and follow their evolution from the end of mass-loss episodes, during their pre-white dwarf evolution, down to very low surface luminosities.
We find that when the effective temperature decreases below 4000 K, the emergent spectrum of these stars becomes bluer within time-scales of astrophysical interest. In particular, we analyse the evolution of our models in the colour–colour and in the colour–magnitude diagrams and find that helium-core white dwarfs with masses ranging from ∼0.18 to 0.3 M_⊙ can reach the turn-off in their colours and become blue again within cooling times much less than 15 Gyr and then remain brighter than M _V ≈16.5 . In view of these results, many low-mass helium white dwarfs could have had enough time to evolve to the domain of collision-induced absorption from molecular hydrogen, showing blue colours.     

The origin of the magnetic fields in white dwarfs

Magnetic white dwarfs with fields in excess of ∼10⁶ G (the high field magnetic white dwarfs; HFMWDs) constitute about ∼10 per cent of all white dwarfs and show a mass distribution with a mean mass of  ∼0.93 M_⊙  compared to  ∼0.56 M_⊙  for all white dwarfs. We investigate two possible explanations for these observations. First, that the initial–final mass relationship (IFMR) is influenced by the presence of a magnetic field and that the observed HFMWDs originate from stars on the main sequence that are recognized as magnetic (the chemically peculiar A and B stars). Secondly, that the IFMR is essentially unaffected by the presence of a magnetic field, and that the observed HFMWDs have progenitors that are not restricted to these groups of stars. Our calculations argue against the former hypothesis and support the latter. The HFMWDs have a higher than average mass because on the average they have more massive progenitors and not because the IFMR is significantly affected by the magnetic field. A requirement of our model is that ∼40 per cent of main-sequence stars more massive than  ∼4.5 M_⊙  must either have magnetic fields in the range of ∼10–100 G, which is below the current level of detection, or generate fields during subsequent stellar evolution towards the white dwarf phase. In the former case, the magnetic fields of the HFMWDs could be fossil remnants from the main-sequence phase consistent with the approximate magnetic flux conservation.     

On the parallax of WD 0346++246: a halo white dwarf candidate

We present a parallax measurement for the very cool degenerate WD 0346+246, the serendipitous discovery of which was reported by Hambly et al. We find an absolute parallax of 36±5 mas, yielding a distance estimate of 28±4 pc. The resulting absolute visual magnitude of the object is M _V =16.8±0.3, making it the second-lowest luminosity white dwarf currently known. We use the distance estimate and measured proper motion to show that the object has kinematics consistent with membership of the Galactic halo. WD 0346+246 is therefore by far the coolest and least luminous of only a handful of plausible halo white dwarf candidates. As such, the object has relevance to the ongoing debate concerning the results of microlensing experiments and the nature of any baryonic dark matter component to the Galactic halo residing in stellar remnants.     

L dwarfs in the Hyades

We present the results of a proper motion survey of the Hyades to search for brown dwarfs, based on UKIRT Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) and Two-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) data. This survey covers  ∼275 deg²  to a depth of   K ∼ 15  mag, equivalent to a mass of  ∼0.05 M_⊙  assuming a cluster age of 625 Myr. The discovery of 12 L dwarf Hyades members is reported. These members are also brown dwarfs, with masses between  0.05 < M < 0.075 M_⊙  . A high proportion of these L dwarfs appear to be photometric binaries.     

Multiband photometric detection of a huge flare on the M9 dwarf 2MASSW J1707183+643933

We present simultaneous UV , G , R and I monitoring of 19 M dwarfs that reveal a huge flare on the M9 dwarf with an amplitude in the UV of at least 6 mag. This is one of the strongest detections ever of an optical flare in an M star and one of the first in an ultracool dwarf (spectral types later than about M7). Four intermediate-strength flares  (Δ m _UV < 4 mag)  were found in this and three other targets. For the whole sample we deduce a flare probability of 0.013 (rate of  0.022 h⁻¹  ), and  0.049 (0.090 h⁻¹)  for 2M1707+64 alone. Deviations of the flare emission from a blackbody is consistent with strong  Hα  line emission. We also confirm our previously found rotation period for 2M1707+64 and determine it more precisely to be  3.619 ± 0.015 h  .     

Spatial distribution of stars and brown dwarfs in σ Orionis

I have re-visited the spatial distribution of stars and high-mass brown dwarfs in the σ Orionis (σ Ori) cluster (∼3 Ma, ∼360 pc). The input was a catalogue of 340 cluster members and candidates at separations less than 30 arcmin to σ Ori AB. Of them, 70 per cent have features of extreme youth. I fitted the normalized cumulative number of objects counting from the cluster centre to several power-law, exponential and King radial distributions. The cluster seems to have two components: a dense core that extends from the centre to   r ≈  20 arcmin and a rarified halo at larger separations. The radial distribution in the core follows a power law proportional to r ¹, which corresponds to a volume density proportional to   r ⁻²  . This is consistent with the collapse of an isothermal spherical molecular cloud. The stars more massive than  3.7 M_⊙  concentrate, however, towards the cluster centre, where there is also an apparent deficit of very low mass objects  ( M < 0.16 M_⊙)  . Last, I demonstrated through Monte Carlo simulations that the cluster is azimuthally asymmetric, with a filamentary overdensity of objects that runs from the cluster centre to the Horsehead Nebula.     

The possiblity of detection of ultracool dwarfs with the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey

We present predictions for the numbers of ultracool dwarfs in the Galactic disc population that could be detected by the WFCAM/UKIDSS Large Area Survey and Ultra Deep Survey. Simulated samples of objects are created with masses and ages drawn from different mass functions and birthrates. Each object is then given absolute magnitudes in different passbands based on empirically derived bolometric correction versus effective temperature relationships (or model predictions for Y dwarfs). These are then combined with simulated space positions, velocities and photometric errors to yield observables such as apparent magnitudes and proper motions. Such observables are then passed through the survey selection mechanism to yield histograms in colour. This technique also produces predictions for the proper motion histograms for ultracool dwarfs and estimated numbers for the as yet undetected Y dwarfs. Finally, it is shown that these techniques could be used to constrain the ultra-low-mass mass function and birthrate of the Galactic disc population.     

Phase-resolved spectroscopy of the helium dwarf nova 'SN 2003aw' in quiescence

High time resolution spectroscopic observations of the ultracompact helium dwarf nova 'SN 2003aw' in its quiescent state at   V ∼ 20.5  reveal its orbital period at  2027.8 ± 0.5 s  or 33.80 min. Together with the photometric 'superhump' period of  2041.5 ± 0.5 s  , this implies a mass ratio   q ≈ 0.036  . We compare both the average and time-resolved spectra of 'SN 2003aw' and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) J124058.03−015919.2. Both show a DB white dwarf spectrum plus an optically thin, helium-dominated accretion disc. 'SN 2003aw' distinguishes itself from the SDSS source by its strong calcium H & K emission lines, suggesting higher abundances of heavy metals than the SDSS source. The silicon and iron emission lines observed in the SDSS source are about twice as strong in 'SN 2003aw'. The peculiar 'double bright spot' accretion disc feature seen in the SDSS source is also present in time-resolved spectra of 'SN 2003aw', albeit much weaker.     

VLT/FORS spectroscopy of faint cataclysmic variables discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We present medium-resolution VLT/FORS2 spectroscopy of six cataclysmic variables (CVs) discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We determine orbital periods for  SDSS J023322.61+005059.5 (96.08 ± 0.09 min), SDSS J091127.36+084140.7 (295.74 ± 0.22 min), SDSS J103533.02+055158.3 (82.10 ± 0.09 min)  and SDSS J121607.03+052013.9 (most likely 98.82 ± 0.16 min, but the one-day aliases at 92 and 107 min are also possible) using radial velocities measured from their Hα and Hβ emission lines. Three of the four orbital periods measured here are close to the observed 75–80 min minimum period for CVs, indicating that the properties of the population of these objects discovered by the SDSS are substantially different to those of the CVs found by other means. Additional photometry of SDSS J023322.61+005059.5 reveals a periodicity of approximately 60 min which we interpret as the spin period of the white dwarf, suggesting that this system is an intermediate polar with a low accretion rate. SDSS J103533.02+055158.3 has a period right at the observed minimum value, a spectrum dominated by the cool white dwarf primary star and exhibits deep eclipses, so is an excellent candidate for an accurate determination of the parameters of the system. The spectroscopic orbit of SDSS J121607.03+052013.9 has a velocity amplitude of only  13.8 ± 1.6 km s⁻¹  , implying that this system has an extreme mass ratio. From several physical constraints we find that this object must contain either a high-mass white dwarf or a brown-dwarf-mass secondary component or both.     

Merged binary white dwarf evolution: rapidly accreting carbon–oxygen white dwarfs and the progeny of extreme helium stars

We have examined the evolution of merged low-mass double white dwarfs that become luminous helium stars. We have approximated the merging process by the rapid accretion of matter, consisting mostly of helium, on to a carbon–oxygen (CO) white dwarf. After a certain mass is accumulated, a helium shell flash occurs, the radius and luminosity increase and the star becomes a yellow giant. Mass accretion is stopped artificially when the total mass reaches a pre-determined value. When the mass above the helium-burning shell becomes small enough, the star evolves blueward almost horizontally in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. The theoretical models for the merger of a 0.6-M_⊙ CO white dwarf with a 0.3-M_⊙ He white dwarf agree very well with the observed locations of extreme helium stars in the  log  T _eff–log  g   diagram, with their observed rates of blueward evolution, and with luminosities and masses obtained from their pulsations. Together with predicted merger rates for  CO+He  white dwarf pairs, the evolutionary time-scales are roughly consistent with the observed numbers of extreme helium stars. Predicted surface carbon and oxygen abundances can be consistent with the observed values if carbon and oxygen produced in the helium shell during a previous asymptotic giant branch phase are assumed to exist in the helium zone of the initial CO white dwarfs. These results establish the  CO+He  white dwarf merger as the best, if not only, viable model for the creation of extreme helium stars and, by association, the majority of R Coronae Borealis stars.