A Spitzer Search for Infrared Excesses around Massive Young White Dwarfs
Astrophysics
2008-11-26 v1
Abstract
We examine 14 hot white dwarfs for signs of infrared excess using the Spitzer Space Telescope. Twelve of the objects are massive white dwarfs which have been suggested to be the result of binary mergers. The remaining two objects are undermassive white dwarfs which again may be the result of mergers or the inspiral of a substellar companion. In no case do we find any evidence for significant infrared excesses out to wavelengths of 8 microns. This places strong constraints on the presence of orbiting dust and weaker constraints on the presence of close substellar companions.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0511094,
title = {A Spitzer Search for Infrared Excesses around Massive Young White Dwarfs},
author = {Brad M. S. Hansen and Shri Kulkarni and Sloane Wiktorowicz},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0511094},
year = {2008}
}
Comments
39 pages, 21 figures, 3 tables, 0 carbs. to appear in the Astronomical Journal (Feb 2006)