Issue |
A&A
Volume 507, Number 3, December I 2009
|
|
---|---|---|
Page(s) | 1613 - 1616 | |
Section | Stellar structure and evolution | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/200912955 | |
Published online | 08 October 2009 |
A&A 507, 1613-1616 (2009)
The double degenerate LP 400-22 revisited
S. Vennes1, - A. Kawka1 - T. R. Vaccaro2,
- N. M. Silvestri3
1 - Astronomický ústav AV CR, Fricova 298, 251 65 Ondrejov, Czech Republic
2 -
Department of Physics & Astronomy, Francis Marion University, Box 100547, Florence, SC 29501, USA
3 -
Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Box 351580, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Received 22 July 2009 / Accepted 17 September 2009
Abstract
We re-examine the properties of the high-velocity and extremely low-mass
white dwarf LP 400-22 and its close companion. Based on an extended observation timeline,
we determined a binary period of P=1.01016 d, somewhat longer than the previously published
period, and a mass function
,
implying a mass for the companion
.
We also re-appraised the mass and cooling age of the white dwarf
using low-metallicity (Z=0.001) evolutionary models appropriate for an old halo
member,
,
and
Gyr, and we infer a mass of
for the progenitor of the white dwarf. We discuss the likely origin
of this system.
Key words: stars: binaries: close - stars: individual: LP 400-22 - white dwarfs
1 Introduction
LP 400-22 (NLTT 54331) is an extremely low-mass (ELM) white dwarf identified
by Kawka et al. (2006). This object is also remarkable for its peculiar kinematics characterised
by a high tangential velocity
km s-1 (Kawka et al. 2006)
and for its membership in a
1 day binary (Kilic et al. 2009). The companion still has to be identified but it
is most likely another white dwarf or a neutron star. Evolutionary scenarios
(see Nelemans et al. 2001; Willems & Kolb 2002)
that produce low-mass white dwarfs
typically involve a common-envelope (CE) phase responsible for orbital
shrinkage, while
the most massive component climbs toward the giant branch or,
alternatively, while it reaches the asymptotic giant branch. The most
massive component eventually collapses to form a neutron star or a
white dwarf,
and, depending on the resulting orbital period and on the secondary
mass, the system may experience episodes of Roche-lobe overflow (RLOF),
while the secondary is still on the main-sequence
or, later, while it climbs the giant branch. Either path leads to the
formation of a low-mass helium
white dwarf, with a total systemic age characteristic of the old disk
or halo population for systems with a low initial secondary mass, or
significantly lower ages for systems with higher secondary masses.
Knowledge of the total age of the system is critical in helping estimate the likely mass and metallicity of the white dwarf progenitor, hence in justifying a particular choice of evolutionary models. In this regard, a kinematical study of the remnant stars is useful in estimating the epoch of formation (Chiba & Beers 2000).
A few ELM white dwarfs (
)
have been identified as companions to pulsars (van Kerkwijk et al. 1996;Bassa et al. 2006).
In addition, the white dwarf SDSS J0917+46, which was discovered as part of a
search for hypervelocity B-type stars (Kilic et al. 2007a), is also in a
h
binary (Kilic et al. 2007b) with a companion still to be classified
.
In an effort to improve our understanding of the binary LP 400-22, we obtained two series of intermediate resolution spectra (Sect. 2), which we use to refine the white dwarf atmospheric parameters (Sect. 3.1). Based on new and published radial velocity measurements, we constrain the binary ephemeris, and revise the kinematics of the system, as well as the mass-function for the unseen companion (Sect. 3.2). We also re-evaluate the parameters of the white dwarf based on low-metallicity evolutionary models appropriate for an old halo member (Sect. 3.3). Finally, we present our conclusions (Sect. 4).
2 Spectroscopy
Table 1 shows the log of observations.
LP 400-22 was observed on 2006 September 30 using the dual imaging spectrograph (DIS)
attached to the 3.5 m telescope at the Apache Point Observatory (APO).
We obtained six exposures of 30 min each.
We used the 830.8 lines mm-1 grating on the red side to
obtain a spectral range of 6440 to 8150 Å with a dispersion of 0.84 Å pixel-1,
and the 1200 lines mm-1 grating on the blue side to obtain a spectral range
of 3830 to 5030 Å with a dispersion of 0.62 Å pixel-1.
The slit width was set at 1.5
resulting in a resolution of 2.1 Å in
the red and 1.7 Å in the blue.
We concurrently obtained a series of HeNeAr comparison arcs.
We corrected the wavelength scale for each science exposure using the HgI
sky line on the blue side
and the OH
sky line on the red side.
![]() |
Figure 1:
APO and KPNO spectra centred on H |
Open with DEXTER |
Table 1: Observation log.
Next, we observed LP 400-22 from 2009 May 29 to June 2 using
the Ritchey-Chretien spectrograph attached to the 4 m telescope at Kitt
Peak National Observatory (KPNO). We used the KPC-24 grating (860 lines
mm-1) in the second order resulting in a dispersion of 0.51 Å pixel-1 and a spectral range from 6230 to 6860 Å. The slit width was set to 1.5
,
resulting in a resolution of
0.8 Å at H
and degrading to
1.5 Å
on the fringes. We also secured a concurrent series of HeNeAr
comparison arcs. To ascertain the stability of the wavelength scale, we
also observed the radial velocity standard HD 112299 each night.
We measured an average velocity and dispersion
km s-1 close to published values (
km s-1, Mazeh et al. 1996). Moreover, the radial velocity measurements of the sky line OH
demonstrate the stability of the wavelength scale with a standard deviation of only 0.7 km s-1.
The spectra were flux-calibrated using the spectro-photometric standards Feige 110, Feige 34, and
HZ 44. Finally, all spectra were reduced using standard IRAF procedures. Figure 1 shows the spectra near H.
To improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the APO observations we co-added the spectra by pairs. The sharp H
absorption core proved to be a precise velocity marker in both science,
particularly those obtained at KPNO, and velocity standard exposures.
Table 2 shows measured radial velocities and mid-exposure times.
The velocities at KPNO were obtained by fitting Voigt profiles to the narrow Habsorption
core using the IRAF `splot' routine. An average error was estimated by
taking successive measurements varying the pseudo-continuum location.
We measured the velocities at APO by calculating the average and
standard deviation of five independent measurements obtained by fitting
Voigt profiles to (1) the H
line core and (2) the H
line core, and by (3) cross-correlating the spectra with a template
between 6540 and 6580 Å, (4) between 4300 and 4400 Å, and (5)
between 4325 and 4355 Å. The red and blue templates were obtained
by summing all available spectra of LP 400-22.
3 Analysis
3.1 White dwarf parameters
We fitted the upper Balmer line profiles obtained at APO using a
grid of model atmospheres in
local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). The model atmospheres include
the effect of convection although for this particular model less than 3% of the flux is carried through convection at
.
More importantly, the models include the effect of hydrogen
line-blanketing that induces cooling of low optical depth layers, and
stimulates the emergence of a narrow Balmer absorption core clearly
seen at H
.
Residuals to Balmer line fits are often observed, particularly in line
cores, which may stem from non-LTE effects in hotter atmospheres, or
possibly missing opacities. The new parameters are consistent with our
previous analysis and that of Kilic et al. (2009). Table 3
summarises the observed properties of the white dwarf in the binary
LP 400-22. We adopted an average of published values of the
effective temperature and surface gravity.
3.2 Binary parameters
![]() |
Figure 2: ( Left) Periodogram of published and new radial velocities of the binary LP 400-22 for ( top) the combined data set (APO, KPNO and Kilic et al. 2009), and ( bottom) for the data set of Kilic et al. (2009) alone. The analysis shows that the correct period is P=1.01016 d. ( Right) Measured velocities and residuals folded on our ephemeris: the triangles are from APO, the squares from KPNO, and the circles from Kilic et al. (2009). |
Open with DEXTER |
Figure 2 shows the
periodograms and best fit radial velocity curve. We fitted the radial
velocity measurements, weighted according to Table 2, with sinusoidal functions while varying the period P, the mean and semi-amplitude velocities
and K, and the initial epoch T0. The corresponding
values were then normalised to the best-fitting
and the significance levels drawn at 66, 90, and 99%.
We analysed two separate data sets. The first, using the measurements of Kilic et al. (2009) alone, imply a period of P=0.9878 and a minimum
,
but with 4 other periods that cannot be excluded with 99% confidence.
Combining our data with their data, we selected a single period with
99% confidence and a minimum
.
A solution excluding the less precise data from APO delivers an identical, although less accurate, period
determination.
Table 2: Radial velocities.
Based on the joint data set we determined that


where T0 is the initial epoch of superior conjunction of the unseen companion (




The projected velocity semi-amplitude of the white dwarf is

corresponding to a mass function for the unseen companion of

From the mass function we deduce a minimum mass of






Assuming that the white dwarf is tidally locked to its unseen companion, the expected rotational
velocity is
km s-1. This effect is not measurable even when using our best data (KPNO)
at a velocity resolution of 37 km s-1.
Table 3: Revised white dwarf parameters.
3.3 Properties of the white dwarf
Figure 3 compares the observed parameters of LP 400-22 and other ELM white dwarfs with masses below
to the evolutionary models with solar metallicity progenitors (Serenelli et al. 2001) and with reduced metallicity (Serenelli et al. 2002). The isochrones are labelled with
and the curves of constant mass are labelled in units of
.
The effect of an increased metallicity is to reduce the age for a given
effective temperature and surface gravity. The age and mass of LP400-22
derived by Kawka et al. (2006)
were based on high-metallicity models under the assumption of a
relatively short total age. If we accept the possibility that the
kinematics of the system is a consequence of old age, then
low-metallicity models are appropriate. In this case we re-evaluate the
mass at
and the age at
Gyr. The corresponding absolute magnitude
mag, from which we infer a distance modulus
and a distance of 444 pc. Table 3 presents revised properties of the white dwarf. Assuming a thick disk or halo origin for the system (
Gyr)
implies a pre-RLOF duration, taken as the time for exhaustion of core hydrogen, of 6-11 Gyr.
Based on evolutionary tracks at Z=0.001 of Girardi et al. (2000), the mass of the white dwarf progenitor is constrained to
.
Interestingly, the case for a low-metallicity progenitor for LP400-22
is supported by the neighbouring case of PSRJ1911-5958A, which is a
probable member of the old cluster NGC 6752 (Gratton et al. 2003) characterised by an age of 13.8 Gyr and low metallicity
(Z=0.001). With an estimated cooling age of 2.5 Gyr, a progenitor lifetime of 11.3 Gyr is inferred corresponding to a mass
.
![]() |
Figure 3: Physical parameters of ELM white dwarfs compared to evolutionary models. The ELM white dwarfs are LP 400-22 (full square), SDSS J0917+4638 (full circle, Kilic et al. 2007b,a), and the companions to PSR J1911-5958A (open triangle Bassa et al. 2006) and PSR J1012+5307 (open square or open circle, Callanan et al. 1998; van Kerkwijk et al. 1996, respectively). The evolutionary models with solar metallicity are from Serenelli et al. (2001) and the low-metallicity models (Z=0.001) are from Serenelli et al. (2002). |
Open with DEXTER |
The white dwarfs depicted in Fig. 3 are old, from 1 to 6 Gyr, and have masses
narrowly distributed around
.
Their masses and orbital periods of
14.5 (PSRJ1012+5317), 20.0 (PSRJ1911-5958A),
and 24.2 h (LP400-22) provide an anchor for the final mass-period relations for these systems
(Rappaport et al. 1995; Nelson et al. 2004; Benvenuto & De Vito 2005).
Assuming negligible orbital evolution since the last ROLF episode, the three systems yield
a final mass and period of
.
With possibly the lowest mass (
)
of the sample and shortest orbital period (7.6 h), the white dwarf SDSS J0917+4638 extends the trend toward shorter
periods.
4 Discussion
We show that the binary LP400-22 that comprises an ELM white dwarf has a period of





A possible evolutionary scenario initially involved a G+O type binary that subsequently evolved through a CE phase which preceded a supernova explosion and that was followed by an episode of RLOF from the evolving G star onto the neutron star (Willems & Kolb 2002; Benvenuto & De Vito 2005). In this case, 1.8 Gyr ago during an RLOF episode, LP400-22 would have appeared as a low-mass X-ray binary. Scenarios involving a white dwarf accretor rather than a neutron star are also possible (Nelemans et al. 2001; Nelson et al. 2004). Upon certain assumptions concerning the cooling history, Nelemans et al. (2001) successfully produce ELM white dwarfs in close binaries. An episode of RLOF also implies a past appearance as a cataclysmic variable.
The derived velocity vectors (U,V,W) are not typical of the halo (Kawka et al. 2006; Kilic et al. 2009), and it is possible that the Galactic orbit was altered by a supernova
event that added a kick velocity of 100 km s-1 to the system (Hobbs et al. 2005; Kiel & Hurley 2009). However, it is unlikely that a supernova event would induce such a large total velocity
without disrupting the binary in the process.
Therefore, the kinematical properties of this relatively nearby system helps
establish its halo population membership and old age.
S.V. and A.K. are supported by grants IAA300030908 and IAA301630901 from the GA AV, respectively. Based on observations obtained with the Apache Point Observatory 3.5-m telescope, which is owned and operated by the Astrophysical Research Consortium.
References
- Agüeros, M. A., Heinke, C., Camilo, F., et al. 2009, ApJ, 700, L123 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Bassa, C. G., van Kerkwijk, M. H., Koester, D., & Verbunt, F. 2006, A&A, 456, 295 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef] [EDP Sciences]
- Benvenuto, O. G., & De Vito, M. A. 2005, MNRAS, 362, 891 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Callanan, P. J., Garnavich, P. M., & Koester, D. 1998, MNRAS, 298, 207 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Chiba, M., & Beers, T. C. 2000, AJ, 119, 2843 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Girardi, L., Bressan, A., Bertelli, G., & Chiosi, C. 2000, A&AS, 141, 371 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef] [EDP Sciences]
- Gratton, R. G., Bragaglia, A., Carretta, E., et al. 2003, A&A, 408, 529 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef] [EDP Sciences]
- Hobbs, G., Lorimer, D. R., Lyne, A. G., & Kramer, M. 2005, MNRAS, 360, 974 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Kawka, A., Vennes, S., Oswalt, T. D., Smith, J. A., & Silvestri, N. M. 2006, ApJ, 643, L123 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Kiel, P. D., & Hurley, J. R. 2009, MNRAS, 395, 2326 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Kilic, M., Allende Prietro, C., Brown, W. R., & Koester, D. 2007a, ApJ, 660, 1451 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Kilic, M., Brown, W. R., Allende Prietro, C., Pinsonneault, M. H., & Kenyon, S. J. 2007b, ApJ, 664, 1088 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Kilic, M., Brown, W. R., Allende Prieto, C., et al. 2009, ApJ, 695, L92 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Mazeh, T., Latham, D. W., & Stefanik, R. P. 1996, ApJ, 466, 415 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Nelemans, G., Yungelson, L. R., Portegies Zwart, S. F., & Verbunt, F. 2001, A&A, 365, 491 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef] [EDP Sciences]
- Nelson, L. A., Dubeau, E., & MacCannell, K. A. 2004, ApJ, 616, 1124 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Rappaport, S., Podsiadlowski, P., Joss, P. C., Di Stefano, R., & Han, Z. 1995, MNRAS, 273, 731 [NASA ADS]
- Serenelli, A. M., Althaus, L. G., Rohrmann, R. D., & Benvenuto, O. G. 2001, MNRAS, 325, 607 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Serenelli, A. M., Althaus, L. G., Rohrmann, R. D., & Benvenuto, O. G. 2002, MNRAS, 337, 1091 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- van Kerkwijk, M. H., Bergeron, P., & Kulkarni, S. R. 1996, ApJ, 467, L89 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
- Willems, B., & Kolb, U. 2002, MNRAS, 337, 1004 [NASA ADS] [CrossRef]
Footnotes
- ...
- Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.
- ... classified
- Proceeding by elimination, Agüeros et al. (2009) argue in favour of a white dwarf companion.
All Tables
Table 1: Observation log.
Table 2: Radial velocities.
Table 3: Revised white dwarf parameters.
All Figures
![]() |
Figure 1:
APO and KPNO spectra centred on H |
Open with DEXTER | |
In the text |
![]() |
Figure 2: ( Left) Periodogram of published and new radial velocities of the binary LP 400-22 for ( top) the combined data set (APO, KPNO and Kilic et al. 2009), and ( bottom) for the data set of Kilic et al. (2009) alone. The analysis shows that the correct period is P=1.01016 d. ( Right) Measured velocities and residuals folded on our ephemeris: the triangles are from APO, the squares from KPNO, and the circles from Kilic et al. (2009). |
Open with DEXTER | |
In the text |
![]() |
Figure 3: Physical parameters of ELM white dwarfs compared to evolutionary models. The ELM white dwarfs are LP 400-22 (full square), SDSS J0917+4638 (full circle, Kilic et al. 2007b,a), and the companions to PSR J1911-5958A (open triangle Bassa et al. 2006) and PSR J1012+5307 (open square or open circle, Callanan et al. 1998; van Kerkwijk et al. 1996, respectively). The evolutionary models with solar metallicity are from Serenelli et al. (2001) and the low-metallicity models (Z=0.001) are from Serenelli et al. (2002). |
Open with DEXTER | |
In the text |
Copyright ESO 2009
Current usage metrics show cumulative count of Article Views (full-text article views including HTML views, PDF and ePub downloads, according to the available data) and Abstracts Views on Vision4Press platform.
Data correspond to usage on the plateform after 2015. The current usage metrics is available 48-96 hours after online publication and is updated daily on week days.
Initial download of the metrics may take a while.