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Title:
Preliminary Constraints on 12C(α,γ)16O from White Dwarf Seismology
Authors:
Metcalfe, T. S.; Winget, D. E.; Charbonneau, P.
Affiliation:
AA(Department of Astronomy, Mail Code C1400, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712; Visiting Scientist, High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research. ), AB(Department of Astronomy, Mail Code C1400, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712 ), AC(High Altitude Observatory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 )
Publication:
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 557, Issue 2, pp. 1021-1027. (ApJ Homepage)
Publication Date:
08/2001
Origin:
UCP
Astronomy Keywords:
Methods: Numerical, Nuclear Reactions, Nucleosynthesis, Abundances, Stars: Individual: Alphanumeric: GD 358, Stars: Interiors, Stars: Oscillations, Stars: White Dwarfs
DOI:
10.1086/321643
Bibliographic Code:
2001ApJ...557.1021M

Abstract

For many years, astronomers have promised that the study of pulsating white dwarfs would ultimately lead to useful information about the physics of matter under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. In this paper, we finally make good on that promise. Using observational data from the Whole Earth Telescope and a new analysis method employing a genetic algorithm, we empirically determine that the central oxygen abundance in the helium-atmosphere variable white dwarf GD 358 is 84%+/-3%. We use this value to place preliminary constraints on the 12C(α,γ)16O nuclear reaction cross section. More precise constraints will be possible with additional detailed simulations. We also show that the pulsation modes of our best-fit model probe down to the inner few percent of the stellar mass. We demonstrate the feasibility of reconstructing the internal chemical profiles of white dwarfs from asteroseismological data and find an oxygen profile for GD 358 that is qualitatively similar to recent theoretical calculations.
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