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The Composition and Structure of White Dwarf Atmospheres Revealed by Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

Martin A. Barstow ,
Ivan Hubeny ,
Thierry Lanz ,
Jay B. Holberg  and
Edward M. Sion
Martin A. Barstow
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LEI 7RH, UK
Ivan Hubeny
Affiliation:
Universities Space Research Association NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MA 20711, USA
Thierry Lanz
Affiliation:
Universities Space Research Association NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MA 20711, USA
Jay B. Holberg
Affiliation:
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of ArizonaTucson, AZ 85721, USA
Edward M. Sion
Affiliation:
Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA

Abstract

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The ROSAT and EUVE all-sky surveys have resulted in an important change in our understanding of the general composition of hydrogen-rich DA white dwarf atmospheres, with the photospheric opacity dominated by heavy elements rather than helium in the hottest stars (T > 40, 000 K). Most stars cooler than 40,000 K have more or less pure H atmospheres. However, one question, which has not been resolved, concerned the specific nature of the heavy elements and the role of helium in the hottest white dwarfs. One view of white dwarf evolution requires that H-rich DA stars form by gravitational settling of He from either DAO or He-rich central stars of planetary nebulae. In this case, the youngest (hottest) DA white dwarfs may still contain visible traces of He. Spectroscopic observations now available with EUVE provide a crucial test of these ideas. Analysis of data from the EUVE Guest Observer programme and EUVE public archive allows quantitative consideration of the sources of EUV opacity and places limits on the abundance of He which may be present.

Type
IV. White Dwarf Structure/Evolution
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 152: Astrophysics in the Extreme Ultraviolet , 1996 , pp. 203 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1996

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