On the magnetic field in the white dwarf Grw + 70 degree 8247

Journal Article · Sun Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184314· OSTI ID:5180221

Henry, R J.W.; O'Connell, R F

Greenstein has observed a sharp absorption feature near 1345 {angstrom} in the ultraviolet spectrum of the white dwarf Grw + 70{degree}8247. He interprets this as a component of hydrogen Ly{alpha} in a strong magnetic field, which he estimates to be in the region of 3.5 {times} 10{sup 8} gauss. Using a very accurate multiparameter variational approach, the authors deduce that the maximum Ly{alpha} wavelength obtainable is 1342.6 {angstrom} (or slightly greater if one includes a gravitational redshift as well as a Stark-induced redshift), at which wavelength the magnetic field is 5.6 {times} 10{sup 8} gauss, all other magnetic field values giving rise to smaller wavelengths. In addition, if the authors assume that the observations are uncertain by, say, {plus minus}8 {angstrom}, then the authors deduce that the Ly{alpha} interpretation leads to a white dwarf magnetic field in the range (4.0-7.6) {times} 10{sup 8} gauss. Furthermore, the authors present a (perhaps less likely) alternative interpretation of the 1345 {angstrom} line, viz., that it is a component of H{alpha} at 6.2 {times} 10{sup 8} gauss or a component of H{beta} at 4 {times} 10{sup 8} gauss, or a combination of two other components of H{beta} at 5 {times} 10{sup 8} gauss. 7 refs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 5180221
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 282; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640100* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology
640102 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CALCULATION METHODS
DATA
DATA ANALYSIS
DWARF STARS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
NUMERICAL DATA
SPECTRA
STARS
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
WHITE DWARF STARS