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A disintegrating minor planet transiting a white dwarf.

Andrew Vanderburg1, John Asher Johnson1, Saul Rappaport2

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Astronomers observed a disintegrating planetesimal orbiting white dwarf WD 1145+017. This provides evidence that rocky debris from asteroids and minor planets pollutes white dwarf atmospheres.

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Area of Science:

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Stellar Evolution
  • Exoplanetary Science

Background:

  • Most stars evolve into white dwarfs after exhausting nuclear fuel.
  • Many white dwarfs exhibit atmospheric pollution with heavy elements, suggesting external replenishment.
  • Abundance ratios of these elements resemble those in Solar System rocky bodies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the origin of heavy elements in white dwarf atmospheres.
  • To observe and characterize disintegrating rocky bodies around a white dwarf.
  • To provide direct evidence for the accretion of planetary debris onto white dwarfs.

Main Methods:

  • Observed white dwarf WD 1145+017 using transit photometry.
  • Analyzed transit signal variations, depths, and profiles.
  • Examined the star's spectrum for heavy element lines and the presence of a debris disk.

Main Results:

  • Detected at least one, likely multiple, disintegrating planetesimals transiting WD 1145+017.
  • Transit signals occurred with periods of 4.5–4.9 hours, showing varying depths and asymmetric profiles.
  • The white dwarf possesses a dusty debris disk and shows prominent spectral lines of heavy elements (Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Fe, Ni).

Conclusions:

  • The observed transiting bodies are consistent with disintegrating rocky planetesimals.
  • This system offers direct evidence that white dwarf atmospheric pollution originates from disrupted bodies like asteroids.
  • The findings support the hypothesis that white dwarfs accrete debris from their former planetary systems.