The infrared and optical pulsations of G29 - 38

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/170122· OSTI ID:5588271

Patterson, J; Zuckerman, B; Becklin, E E; Tholen, D J; Hawarden, T ^[1]

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1. California, University, Los Angeles (USA) Hawaii, University, Honolulu (USA) Joint Astronomy Center, Hilo, HI (USA)

High-speed infrared photometry at 1.25, 2.2, and 3.5 microns of the pulsating white dwarf G29 - 38 reveals the presence of unexpectedly large amplitude signals at 2.2 microns, with periods of 186, 243, and 268 s. Simultaneous optical coverage demonstrates the presence of signals of identical period and phase in blue light, which proves that they are ultimately seated in the white dwarf, not in the cool component known to be present in the system. But their anomalously high amplitude in the infrared suggests either a breakdown of stellar atmosphere theory or a process by which the pulsating white dwarf can very efficiently excite an oscillation in the cool component. A model is discussed in which a dusty ring reprocesses the incident radiation from the white dwarf, assumed to contain both east-west and north-south pulsations. The model has some heuristic value but requires a very special geometry to satisfy the observations. 25 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5588271
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (United States) Vol. 374; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BINARY STARS
BRIGHTNESS
DWARF STARS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OSCILLATIONS
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PULSATIONS
RADIATIONS
STAR MODELS
STARS
VISIBLE RADIATION
WHITE DWARF STARS