University of Leicester
Browse
ZTFJ0328_Periodic_Variability-2.pdf (3.01 MB)

Recurring Planetary Debris Transits and Circumstellar Gas around White Dwarf ZTF J0328-1219

Download (3.01 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2021-12-17, 16:37 authored by Zachary P Vanderbosch, Saul Rappaport, Joseph A Guidry, Bruce L Gary, Simon Blouin, Thomas G Kaye, Alycia J Weinberger, Carl Melis, Beth L Klein, B Zuckerman, Andrew Vanderburg, JJ Hermes, Ryan J Hegedus, Matthew R Burleigh, Ramotholo Sefako, Hannah L Worters, Tyler M Heintz
We present follow-up photometry and spectroscopy of ZTF J0328-1219, strengthening its status as a white dwarf exhibiting transiting planetary debris. Using TESS and Zwicky Transient Facility photometry, along with follow-up high-speed photometry from various observatories, we find evidence for two significant periods of variability at 9.937 and 11.2 hr. We interpret these as most likely the orbital periods of different debris clumps. Changes in the detailed dip structures within the light curves are observed on nightly, weekly, and monthly timescales, reminiscent of the dynamic behavior observed in the first white dwarf discovered to harbor a disintegrating asteroid, WD 1145+017. We fit previously published spectroscopy along with broadband photometry to obtain new atmospheric parameters for the white dwarf, with M∗ = 0.731 ± 0.023 M⊙, Teff = 7630 ± 140 K, and [Ca/He] = -9.55 ± 0.12. With new high-resolution spectroscopy, we detect prominent and narrow Na D absorption features likely of circumstellar origin, with velocities 21.4 ± 1.0 km s-1 blueshifted relative to atmospheric lines. We attribute the periodically modulated photometric signal to dusty effluents from small orbiting bodies such as asteroids or comets, but we are unable to identify the most likely material that is being sublimated, or otherwise ejected, as the environmental temperatures range from roughly 400 to 700 K.

History

Citation

2021 ApJ 917 41

Author affiliation

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Published in

Astrophysical Journal

Volume

917

Issue

1

Publisher

IOP Publishing for American Astronomical Society

issn

0004-637X

eissn

1538-4357

Acceptance date

2021-06-02

Copyright date

2021

Available date

2022-08-13

Language

English

Usage metrics

    University of Leicester Publications

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC