High-resolution UVES/VLT spectra of white dwarfs observed for the ESO SN Ia Progenitor Survey^*

III. DA white dwarfs

¹ Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astrophysik, Universität Kiel, 24098 Kiel, Germany e-mail: koester@astrophysik.uni-kiel.de
² Zeiss-Planetarium, LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, 48161 Münster, Germany
³ Centre for Astrophysics Research, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK
⁴ Landessternwarte, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Königstuhl 12, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
⁵ Institut für Astrophysik, Georg-August-Universität, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
⁶ Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg, Mönchhofstr. 12–14, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
⁷ Dr. Karl Remeis Observatory, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Sternwartstr. 7, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
⁸ Hamburger Sternwarte, Gojenbergsweg 112, 21029 Hamburg, Germany

Received: 19 May 2009
Accepted: 24 July 2009

Abstract

Context. The ESO Supernova Ia Progenitor Survey (SPY) took high-resolution spectra of more than 1000 white dwarfs and pre-white dwarfs. About two thirds of the stars observed are hydrogen-dominated DA white dwarfs. Here we present a catalog and detailed spectroscopic analysis of the DA stars in the SPY.

Aims. Atmospheric parameters effective temperature and surface gravity are determined for normal DAs. Double-degenerate binaries, DAs with magnetic fields or dM companions, are classified and discussed.

Methods. The spectra are compared with theoretical model atmospheres using a  fitting technique.

Results. Our final sample contains 615 DAs, which show only hydrogen features in their spectra, although some are double-degenerate binaries. 187 are new detections or classifications. We also find 10 magnetic DAs (4 new) and 46 DA+dM pairs (10 new).