graduate

NLTT 11748 - The first eclipsing detached double WD binary

TYPEAstrophysics Seminar
Speaker:Dr. Avi Shporer
Affiliation:UCSB
Date:25.10.2010
Time:13:30
Location:Lidow 605
Abstract:NLTT 11748 is the first detached double white dwarf (WD) binary system where
eclipses have been discovered. It is also the first such system including a
low-mass, helium-core WD. I will present the discovery of the system, and
the interesting astrophysical phenomena it shows. One of those is the
relatively large flux modulation induced by the relativistic beaming effect,
resulting from the inverted WD mass-luminosity relation, which we were able
to detect from the ground. Finally, I will briefly discuss our plans to look
for additional similar systems.