White Dwarf Mass Research Articles

X-ray measurement of a high-mass white dwarf and its spin for the intermediate polar IGR J18434−0508

ABSTRACT IGR J18434−0508 is a Galactic Intermediate Polar (IP) type Cataclysmic Variable (CV) previously classified through optical spectroscopy. The source is already known to have a hard Chandra spectrum. In this paper, we have used follow-up XMM–Newton and NuSTAR observations to measure the white dwarf (WD) mass and spin period. We measure a spin period of P = 304.4 ± 0.3 s based on the combined MOS1, MOS2, and pn light curve. Although this is twice the optical period found previously, we interpret this value to be the true spin period of the WD. The source has an $8\pm 2~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ pulsed fraction in the 0.5–10 keV XMM–Newton data and shows strong dips in the soft energy band (0.5–2 keV). The XMM–Newton and NuSTAR joint spectrum is consistent with a thermal bremsstrahlung continuum model with an additional partial covering factor, reflection, and Fe-line Gaussian components. Furthermore, we fit the joint spectrum with the post-shock region ‘ipolar’ model which indicates a high WD mass ≳1.36 M⊙, approaching the Chandrasekhar limit.

SN 2022joj: A Potential Double Detonation with a Thin Helium Shell

We present photometric and spectroscopic data for SN 2022joj, a nearby peculiar Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) with a fast decline rate (Δm 15,B = 1.4 mag). SN 2022joj shows exceedingly red colors, with a value of approximately B − V ≈ 1.1 mag during its initial stages, beginning from 11 days before maximum brightness. As it evolves, the flux shifts toward the blue end of the spectrum, approaching B − V ≈ 0 mag around maximum light. Furthermore, at maximum light and beyond, the photometry is consistent with that of typical SNe Ia. This unusual behavior extends to its spectral characteristics, which initially displayed a red spectrum and later evolved to exhibit greater consistency with typical SNe Ia. Spectroscopically, we find strong agreement between SN 2022joj and double detonation models with white dwarf masses of around 1 M ⊙ and a thin He shell between 0.01 and 0.05 M ⊙. Moreover, the early red colors are explained by line-blanketing absorption from iron peak elements created by the double detonation scenario in similar mass ranges. The nebular spectra in SN 2022joj deviate from expectations for double detonation, as we observe strong [Fe iii] emission instead of [Ca ii] lines as anticipated, though this is not as robust a prediction as early red colors and spectra. The fact that as He shells get thinner these SNe start to look more like normal SNe Ia raises the possibility that this is the triggering mechanism for the majority of SNe Ia, though evidence would be missed if the SNe are not observed early enough.

FORECASTOR. I. Finding Optics Requirements and Exposure Times for the Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and UV Research Mission

The Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and ultraviolet Research (CASTOR) is a proposed Canadian-led 1 m class space telescope that will carry out ultraviolet and blue optical wide-field imaging, spectroscopy, and photometry. CASTOR will provide an essential bridge in the post-Hubble era, preventing a protracted UV-optical gap in space astronomy and enabling an enormous range of discovery opportunities from the solar system to the nature of the cosmos, in conjunction with the other great wide-field observatories of the next decade (e.g., Euclid, Roman, Vera Rubin). FORECASTOR (Finding Optics Requirements and Exposure times for CASTOR) will supply a coordinated suite of mission-planning tools that will serve as the one-stop shop for proposal preparation, data reduction, and analysis for the CASTOR mission. We present the first of these tools: a pixel-based, user-friendly, extensible, multi-mission exposure time calculator built in Python, including a modern browser-based graphical user interface that updates in real time. We then provide several illustrative examples of FORECASTOR’s use that advance the design of planned legacy surveys for the CASTOR mission: a search for the most massive white dwarfs in the Magellanic Clouds, a study of the frequency of flaring activity in M stars and their distribution and impacts on habitability of exoplanets, mapping the proper motions of faint stars in the Milky Way, wide and deep galaxy surveys, and time-domain studies of active galactic nuclei.

Including a luminous central remnant in radiative transfer simulations for type iax supernovae

Abstract Type Iax supernovae (SNe Iax) are proposed to arise from deflagrations of Chandrasekhar mass white dwarfs. Previous deflagration simulations have achieved good agreement with the light curves and spectra of intermediate-luminosity and bright SNe Iax. However, the model light curves decline too quickly after peak, particularly in red optical and NIR bands. Deflagration models with a variety of ignition configurations do not fully unbind the white dwarf, leaving a remnant polluted with 56Ni. Emission from such a remnant may contribute to the luminosity of SNe Iax. Here we investigate the impact of adding a central energy source, assuming instantaneous powering by 56Ni decay in the remnant, in radiative transfer calculations of deflagration models. Including the remnant contribution improves agreement with the light curves of SNe Iax, particularly due to the slower post-maximum decline of the models. Spectroscopic agreement is also improved, with intermediate-luminosity and faint models showing greatest improvement. We adopt the full remnant 56Ni mass predicted for bright models, but good agreement with intermediate-luminosity and faint SNe Iax is only possible for remnant 56Ni masses significantly lower than those predicted. This may indicate that some of the 56Ni decay energy in the remnant does not contribute to the radiative luminosity but instead drives mass ejection, or that escape of energy from the remnant is significantly delayed. Future work should investigate the structure of remnants predicted by deflagration models and the potential roles of winds and delayed energy escape, as well as extend radiative transfer simulations to late times.

Mass–radius relation for magnetized white dwarfs from SDSS

ABSTRACT We present the observational mass–radius (M–R) relation for a sample of 47 magnetized white dwarfs (WDs) with the magnetic field strength (B) ranging from 1 to 773 MG, identified from the SDSS data release 7 (DR7). We derive their effective temperature, surface gravity (log g), luminosity, radius, and mass. While atmospheric parameters are derived using a Virtual Observatory Spectral Energy Distribution Analyzer (VOSA), the mass is derived using their location in the HR diagram in comparison with the evolutionary tracks of different masses. We implement this mass measurement instead of a more traditional method of deriving masses from log g, which is unreliable as is based on SED and generates errors from other physical parameters involved. The main disadvantage of this method is that we need to assume a core composition of WDs. As it is complicated to identify the exact composition of these WDs from low-resolution spectra, we use tracks for the masses 0.2 to 0.4 M⊙ assuming a He-core, 0.5 to 1.0 M⊙ assuming CO core, and above M⊙ assuming O–Ne–Mg core. We compare the observed M–R relation with those predicted by the finite temperature model by considering different B, which are well in agreement considering their relatively low-surface fields, ≲109 G. Currently, there is no direct observational detection of magnetized WDs with B > 109 G. We propose that our model can be further extrapolated to higher B, which may indicate the existence of super-Chandrasekhar mass (M > 1.4 M⊙) WDs at higher B.

The Influence of Velocity-dependent Correction Factor on Proton Decay Reactions in Massive White Dwarfs

Twenty-five typical massive white dwarfs (WDs) are selected and the proton decay reaction catalyzed by magnetic monopoles (MMs) for these WDs is discussed. A velocity-dependent correction factor strongly affects the cross-section. We find that a strong suppression controls the monopole catalysis of nucleon decay by the correction factor. The maximum number of MMs is captured and the luminosity can be 2.235 × 1021 and 1.7859 × 1032erg s−1 (e.g., for the O+Ne core mass WD J055631.17+130639.78). The luminosities of most massive WDs agree well with the observations at relatively low temperatures (e.g., T 6 = 0.1), but can be three and two orders of magnitude higher than those of the observations for model (I) and (II) at relatively high temperatures (e.g., T 6 = 10), respectively. The luminosities of model (I) are about one order of magnitude higher than those of model (II). Since we consider the effect of the number of MMs captured on the mass–radius relation and the suppression of the proton decay by the correction factor, the study by model (II) may be an improved estimation.

Exsolution process in white dwarf stars

Context. White dwarf stars are considered to be suitable cosmic laboratories for studying the physics of dense plasma. Furthermore, the use of white dwarf stars as cosmic clocks to date stellar populations and main sequence companions demands an appropriate understanding of the physics of white dwarfs in order to provide precise ages for these stars. Aims. We aim to study exsolution in the interior of white dwarf stars, a process in which a crystallized ionic binary mixture separates into two solid solutions with different fractions of the constituents. Depending on the composition of the parent solid mixture, this process can release or absorb heat, thus leading to a delay or a speed-up of white dwarf cooling. Methods. Relying on accurate phase diagrams for exsolution, we modeled this process in hydrogen(H)-rich white dwarfs with both carbon–oxygen (CO) and oxygen–neon (ONe) core composition, with masses ranging from 0.53 to 1.29 M⊙ and from 1.10 to 1.29 M⊙, respectively. Results. Exsolution is a slow process that takes place at low luminosities (log(L/L⊙)≲ − 2.75) and effective temperatures (Teff ≲ 18 000 K) in white dwarfs. We find that exsolution begins at brighter luminosities in CO than in ONe white dwarfs of the same mass. Massive white dwarfs undergo exsolution at brighter luminosities than their lower-mass counterparts. The net effect of exsolution on white dwarf cooling times depends on the stellar mass and the exact chemical profile. For standard core chemical profiles and preferred assumptions regarding miscibility gap microphysics, the cooling delay can be as large as ∼0.35 Gyr at log(L/L⊙)∼ − 5. We neglect any chemical redistribution possibly associated with this process, which could lead to a further cooling delay. Although the chemical redistribution is known to accompany exsolution in binary solid mixtures on Earth, given the solid state of the matter, it is hard to model in a reliable way, and its effect may be postponed until very low luminosities. Conclusions. Exsolution has a marginal effect on white dwarf cooling times and, accordingly, we find no white dwarf branches associated with it on the Gaia color–magnitude diagram. However, exsolution in massive white dwarfs can alter the faint end of the white dwarf luminosity function, thus impacting white dwarf cosmochronology.

Wide Binaries with White Dwarf or Neutron Star Companions Discovered from Gaia DR3 and LAMOST

The Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) mission has identified and provided about 440,000 binary systems with orbital solutions, offering a valuable resource for searching binaries including a compact component. By combining the Gaia DR3 data with radial velocities from the LAMOST spectroscopic survey, we identify three wide binaries possibly containing a compact object. For two of these sources with a main-sequence companion, no obvious excess is observed in the blue/red band of the Gaia DR3 XP spectra, and the LAMOST medium-resolution spectra exhibit clear single-lined features. The absence of an additional component from spectral disentangling analysis further suggests the presence of compact objects within these systems. On the other hand, the visible star of the third source is a stripped giant star. In contrast to most binaries including stripped stars, no emission line is detected in the optical spectra. The unseen star could potentially be a massive white dwarf or neutron star, but the possibility of an F-type dwarf star scenario cannot be ruled out. An examination of about 10 binaries containing white dwarfs or neutron stars using both kinematic and chemical methods suggests most of these systems are located in the thin disk of the Milky Way.

Faint calcium-rich transient from a double detonation of a 0.6 M⊙ carbon-oxygen white dwarf star

We have computed a 3D hydrodynamic simulation of the merger between a massive (0.4 M⊙) helium white dwarf (He WD) and a low-mass (0.6 M⊙) carbon-oxygen white dwarf (CO WD). Despite the low mass of the primary, the merger triggers a thermonuclear explosion as a result of a double detonation, producing a faint transient and leaving no remnant behind. This type of event could also take place during common-envelope mergers whenever the companion is a CO WD and the core of the giant star has a sufficiently large He mass. The spectra show strong Ca lines during the first few weeks after the explosion. The explosion only yields < 0.01 M⊙ of 56Ni, resulting in a low-luminosity Type Ia supernova-like light curve that resembles the Ca-rich transients within this broad class of objects, with a peak magnitude of Mbol ≈ −15.7 mag and a rather slow decline rate of Δm15bol ≈ 1.5 mag. Both its light curve shape and spectral appearance resemble the appearance of Ca-rich transients, suggesting such mergers as a possible progenitor scenario for this class of events.

Introducing the Condor Array Telescope – III. The expansion and age of the shell of the dwarf nova Z Camelopardalis, and detection of a second, larger shell

ABSTRACT The existence of a vast nova shell surrounding the prototypical dwarf nova Z Camelopardalis (Z Cam) proves that some old novae undergo metamorphosis to appear as dwarf novae thousands of years after a nova eruption. The expansion rates of ancient nova shells offer a way to constrain both the time between nova eruptions and the time for post-nova mass transfer rates to decrease significantly, simultaneously testing nova thermonuclear runaway models and hibernation theory. Previous limits on the expansion rate of part of the Z Cam shell constrain the inter-eruption time between Z Cam nova events to be >1300 yr. Deeper narrow-band imaging of the ejecta of Z Cam with the Condor Array Telescope now reveals very low surface brightness areas of the remainder of the shell. A second, even fainter shell is also detected, concentric with and nearly three times the size of the ‘inner’ shell. This is the first observational support of the prediction that concentric shells must surround the frequently erupting novae of relatively massive white dwarfs. The Condor images extend our Z Cam imaging baseline to 15 yr, yielding the inner shell’s expansion rate as v = 83 ± 37 km s−1 at 23 deg south of west, in excellent agreement with our 2012 prediction. This velocity corresponds to an approximate age of $t = 2672^{-817}_{+2102}$ yr. While consistent with the suggestion that the most recent nova eruption of Z Cam was the transient recorded by Chinese imperial astrologers in the year 77 bce, the age uncertainty is still too large to support or disprove a connection with Z Cam.

The Optically Thick Rotating Magnetic Wind from a Massive White Dwarf Merger Product. II. Axisymmetric Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations

We numerically construct a series of axisymmetric rotating magnetic wind solutions, aiming at exploring the observation properties of massive white dwarf (WD) merger remnants with a strong magnetic field, a fast spin, and an intense mass loss, as inferred for WD J005311. We investigate the magnetospheric structure and the resultant spin-down torque exerted to the merger remnant with respect to the surface magnetic flux Φ*, spin angular frequency Ω* and the mass-loss rate Ṁ . We confirm that the wind properties for σ≡Φ*2Ω*2/Ṁvesc3≳1 significantly deviate from those of the spherical Parker wind, where v esc is the escape velocity at stellar surface. For such a rotating magnetic wind sequence, we find (i) a quasiperiodic mass eruption triggered by magnetic reconnection along with the equatorial plane and (ii) a scaling relation for the spin-down torque T≈(1/2)×ṀΩ*R*2σ1/4 . We apply our results to discuss the spin-down evolution and wind anisotropy of massive WD merger remnants, the latter of which could be probed by a successive observation of WD J005311 using Chandra.

Measuring the Mass–Radius Relation of White Dwarfs Using Wide Binaries

Measuring the mass–radius relation of individual white dwarfs is an empirically challenging task that has been performed for only a few dozen stars. We measure the white dwarf mass–radius relation using the gravitational redshifts and radii of 135 white dwarfs in wide binaries with main-sequence companions. We obtain the radial velocities of these systems using the main-sequence companion, and subtract these Doppler redshifts from the white dwarfs’ apparent motions, isolating their gravitational redshifts. We use Gaia data to calculate the surface temperatures and radii of these white dwarfs, thereby deriving an empirical gravitational redshift–radius relation. This work demonstrates the utility of low-resolution Galactic surveys to measure the white dwarf equation of state. Our results are consistent with theoretical models, and represent the largest sample of individual white dwarf gravitational redshift measurements to date.

A hidden population of massive white dwarfs: two spotted K+WD binaries

Abstract The identification and characterization of massive (≳ 0.8 M⊙) white dwarfs is challenging in part due to their low luminosity. Here we present two candidate single-lined spectroscopic binaries, Gaia DR3 4014708864481651840 and 5811237403155163520, with K-dwarf primaries and optically dark companions. Both have orbital periods of P ∼ 0.45 days and show rotational variability, ellipsoidal modulations, and high-amplitude radial velocity variations. Using light curves from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), radial velocities from ground-based spectrographs, and spectral energy distributions, we characterize these binaries to describe the nature of the unseen companion. We find that both systems are consistent with a massive white dwarf companion. Unlike simple ellipsoidal variables, star spots cause the light curve morphology to change between TESS sectors. We attempt to constrain the orbital inclination using PHOEBE binary light curve models, but degeneracies in the light curves of spotted stars prevent a precise determination. Finally, we search for similar objects using Gaia DR3 and TESS, and comment on these systems in the context of recently claimed compact object binaries.

Formation of PSR J1012+5307 with an Extremely Low-mass White Dwarf: Testing Magnetic Braking Models

PSR J1012+5307 is a millisecond pulsar with an extremely low-mass white dwarf (WD) companion in an orbit of 14.5 hr. Magnetic braking (MB) plays an important role in influencing the orbital evolution of binary systems with a low-mass (≲1–2 M ⊙) donor star. At present, there exist several different MB descriptions. In this paper, we investigate the formation of PSR J1012+5307 as a probe to test plausible MB models. Employing a detailed stellar evolution model with the MESA code, we find that the convection- and rotation-boosted MB and “Intermediate” MB models can reproduce the WD mass, WD radius, WD surface gravity, neutron star mass, and orbital period observed in PSR J1012+5307. However, our simulated WD has a higher effective temperature than the observations. Three other MB mechanisms, including the standard MB model, are too weak to account for the observed orbital period in the Hubble time. A long cooling timescale caused by H-shell flashes of the WD may alleviate the discrepancy between the simulated effective temperature and the observed value.

Rotation plays a role in the generation of magnetic fields in single white dwarfs

ABSTRACT Recent surveys of close white dwarf binaries as well as single white dwarfs have provided evidence for the late appearance of magnetic fields in white dwarfs, and a possible generation mechanism, a crystallization and rotation-driven dynamo has been suggested. A key prediction of this dynamo is that magnetic white dwarfs rotate, at least on average, faster than their non-magnetic counterparts and/or that the magnetic field strength increases with rotation. Here we present rotation periods of ten white dwarfs within 40 pc measured using photometric variations. Eight of the light curves come from TESS observations and are thus not biased towards short periods, in contrast to most period estimates that have been reported previously in the literature. These TESS spin periods are indeed systematically shorter than those of non-magnetic white dwarfs. This means that the crystallization and rotation-driven dynamo could be responsible for a fraction of the magnetic fields in white dwarfs. However, the full sample of magnetic white dwarfs also contains slowly rotating strongly magnetic white dwarfs which indicates that another mechanism that leads to the late appearance of magnetic white dwarfs might be at work, either in addition to or instead of the dynamo. The fast-spinning and massive magnetic white dwarfs that appear in the literature form a small fraction of magnetic white dwarfs, and probably result from a channel related to white dwarf mergers.

Dynamical masses across the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram

ABSTRACT We infer the dynamical masses of stars across the Hertzsprung–Russell (H–R) diagram using wide binaries from the Gaia survey. Gaia’s high-precision astrometry measures the wide binaries’ orbital motion, which contains the mass information. Using wide binaries as the training sample, we measure the mass of stars across the 2D H–R diagram using the combination of statistical inference and neural networks. Our results provide the dynamical mass measurements for main-sequence stars from 0.1 to 2 M⊙, unresolved binaries, and unresolved triples on the main sequence, and the mean masses of giants and white dwarfs. Two regions in the H–R diagram show interesting behaviours in mass, where one of them is pre-main-sequence stars, and the other one may be related to close compact object companions like M dwarf-white dwarf binaries. These mass measurements depend solely on Newtonian dynamics with minimal assumptions on eccentricities, providing independent constraints on stellar evolutionary models, and the occurrence rate of compact objects.

Classification and parameterization of a large Gaia sample of white dwarfs using XP spectra

Context. The latest Gaia data release in July 2022, DR3, in addition to the refinement of the astrometric and photometric parameters from DR2, added a number of important data products to those available in earlier releases, including radial velocity data, information on stellar multiplicity, and XP spectra of a selected sample of stars. Gaia has proved to be an important search tool for white dwarf stars, which are readily identifiable from their absolute G magnitudes as low luminosity objects in the Hertzsprung–Russell (H–R) diagram. Each data release has yielded large catalogs of white dwarfs, containing several hundred thousand objects, far in excess of the numbers known from all previous surveys (∼40 000). While the normal Gaia photometry (G, GBP, and GRP bands) and astrometry can be used to identify white dwarfs with high confidence, it is much more difficult to parameterize the stars and determine the white dwarf spectral type from this information alone. Observing all stars in these catalogs with follow-up spectroscopy and photometry is also a huge logistical challenge with current facilities. Aims. The availability of the XP spectra and synthetic photometry presents an opportunity for a more detailed spectral classification and measurement of the effective temperature and surface gravity of Gaia white dwarfs. Methods. A magnitude limit of G < 17.6 was applied to the routine production of XP spectra for Gaia sources, which would have excluded most white dwarfs. Therefore, we created a catalog of 100 000 high-quality white dwarf identifications for which XP spectra were processed, with a magnitude limit of G < 20.5. Synthetic photometry was computed for all these stars, from the XP spectra, in Johnson, SDSS, and J-PAS, published as the Gaia Synthetic Photometry Catalog – White Dwarfs (GSPC-WD). We took this catalog and applied machine learning techniques to provide a classification of all the stars from the XP spectra. We have then applied an automated spectral fitting program, with χ-squared minimization, to measure their physical parameters (effective temperature and log g) from which we could estimate the white dwarf masses and radii. Results. We present the results of this work, demonstrating the power of being able to classify and parameterize such a large sample of ≈100 000 stars. We describe what we can learn about the white dwarf population from this dataset. We also explored the uncertainties in the process and the limitations of the dataset.

The Common Envelope Evolution Outcome. II. Short-orbital-period Hot Subdwarf B Binaries Reveal a Clear Picture

Common envelope evolution (CEE) is vital for forming short-orbital-period compact binaries. It covers many objects, such as double compact merging binaries, Type Ia supernovae progenitors, binary pulsars, and X-ray binaries. Knowledge of the common envelope (CE) ejection efficiency still needs to be improved, though progress has been made recently. Short-orbital-period hot subdwarf B star (sdB) plus white dwarf (WD) binaries are the most straightforward samples with which to constrain CEE physics. We apply the known orbital period–WD mass relation to constrain the sdB progenitors of seven sdB+WD binaries with a known inclination angle. The average CE efficiency parameter is 0.32. This is consistent with previous studies. However, the CE efficiency need not be constant, but a function of the initial mass ratio, based on well-constrained sdB progenitor mass and evolutionary stage. Our results can be used as physical inputs for binary population synthesis simulations of related objects. A similar method can also be applied to study other short-orbital-period WD binaries.

A possible critical heating from decay reaction and new upper limit of the magnetic monopole flux for the supermassive white dwarfs

We present the new upper limit of the magnetic monopole (MM) flux and discuss three MM models of the heating resource for supermassive white dwarfs (WDs) by considering the effect of temperature on thermonuclear reaction and mass radius relation of WDs based on the catalytic nuclear decay by MM. We discuss the luminosity and compared it with the observations to apply to 25 supermassive WDs. We find the maxnium of the number of MM captured can be 9.6943×1011\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$9.6943\ imes 10^{11}$$\\end{document}, and 9.0671×1011\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$9.0671\ imes 10^{11}$$\\end{document} for O+Ne core high mass WDs (e.g., WD J055631.17+130639.78), and C+O core high mass WDs (e.g., WD J055631.17+130639.78), respectively. The luminosities increase with the increasing of the temperature and are agreed well with the observations for model (III). The differences are no more than one, and three orders of magnitude higher than observations for model (III), and (I, II), respectively. Finaly, we find that the maxnium of the upper limits of the MM flux ϕm\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\phi _{m}$$\\end{document} due to RC effect can be 9.1071×10-15\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$9.1071\ imes 10^{-15}$$\\end{document}, and 2.7670×10-14\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$2.7670\ imes 10^{-14}$$\\end{document} for O+Ne and C+O core high mass WDs, respectively. Our results are about one and two orders of magnitude higher than those of Abbasi et al. (EPJC 69:361, 2010) (Albert et al. in JHEP 07:054, 2017) for O+Ne, and C+O core mass WDs, respectively, and can be about three and four orders of magnitude higher than those of Aartsen et al. (EPJC 76:133, 2016) (Ic40, Ic86), respectively. Our results show that the monopole-catalyzed nucleon decay could prevent WDs from cooling down into a stellar graveyard by keeping them hot.

Study of Blue Metal-poor Stars Using UVIT/AstroSat

Blue metal-poor stars are main-sequence stars that are bluer and brighter than typical turn-off stars in metal-poor globular clusters. They are thought to have either evolved through post-mass transfer mechanisms as field blue straggler stars or have accreted from Milky Way dwarf satellite galaxies. It has been found that a considerable fraction of blue metal poor stars are binaries, possibly with a compact companion. We observed 27 blue metal poor stars using UV imaging telescope of AstroSat in two far-UV filters, F148W and F169M. In this work, we explain the possible formation channels of two stars, BMP17 and BMP37. We fit BMP17 to a single-component spectral energy distribution whereas BMP37 with a binary-component spectral energy distribution. As both of them are known SB1s, we suggest that the WD companion of BMP17 may have cooled down so that it is out of UV imaging telescope detection limit. On the other hand, we discover a normal mass white dwarf as the hot companion of BMP37, indicating mass transfer as the possible formation channel.