SIMBAD references

2016ApJ...832...62F - Astrophys. J., 832, 62-62 (2016/November-3)

Discovery of a possible cool white dwarf companion from the AllWISE motion survey.

FAJARDO-ACOSTA S.B., KIRKPATRICK J.D., SCHNEIDER A.C., CUSHING M.C., STERN D., GELINO C.R., BARDALEZ-GAGLIUFFI D.C., KELLOGG K. and WRIGHT E.L.

Abstract (from CDS):

We present optical and near-infrared spectroscopy of WISEA J061543.91-124726.8, which we rediscovered as a high motion object in the AllWISE survey. The spectra of this object are unusual; while the red optical (λ > 7000 Å) and near-infrared spectra exhibit characteristic TiO, VO, and H2O bands of a late-M dwarf, the blue portion of its optical spectrum shows a significant excess of emission relative to late-M-type templates. The excess emission is relatively featureless, with the exception of a prominent and very broad Na i D doublet. We find that no single, ordinary star can reproduce these spectral characteristics. The most likely explanation is an unresolved binary system of an M7 dwarf and a cool white dwarf. The flux of a cool white dwarf drops in the optical red and near-infrared, due to collision-induced absorption, thus allowing the flux of a late-M dwarf to show through. This scenario, however, does not explain the Na D feature, which is unlike that of any known white dwarf, but which could perhaps be explained via unusual abundance or pressure conditions.

Abstract Copyright: © 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Journal keyword(s): brown dwarfs - solar neighborhood - stars: individual: WISEA 0615-1247 - stars: low-mass - subdwarfs - white dwarfs

Simbad objects: 14

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