A hyper-runaway white dwarf in Gaia DR2 as a Type Iax supernova primary remnant candidate

Journal Article · 09 August 2019 · Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stz2176 · OSTI ID:1560909

Ruffini, Nicholas J.  ^[1]; Casey, Andrew R.  ^[2]

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1. School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
2. School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia

ABSTRACT Observations of stellar remnants linked to Type Ia and Type Iax supernovae are necessary to fully understand their progenitors. Multiple progenitor scenarios predict a population of kicked donor remnants and partially burnt primary remnants, both moving with relatively high velocity. But only a handful of examples consistent with these two predicted populations have been observed. Here we report the likely first known example of an unbound white dwarf that is consistent with being the fully cooled primary remnant to a Type Iax supernova. The candidate, LP 93-21, is travelling with a galactocentric velocity of $$v_{\textrm {gal}} \simeq 605\, {\rm km}\, {\rm s}^{-1}$$, and is gravitationally unbound to the Milky Way. We rule out an extragalactic origin. The Type Iax supernova ejection scenario is consistent with its peculiar unbound trajectory, given anomalous elemental abundances are detected in its photosphere via spectroscopic follow-up. This discovery reflects recent models that suggest stellar ejections likely occur often. Unfortunately the intrinsic faintness of white dwarfs, and the uncertainty associated with their direct progenitor systems, makes it difficult to detect and confirm such donors.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1560909
• Journal Information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Journal Name: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 489; ISSN 0035-8711
• Publisher: Oxford University PressCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English