Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Apr 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001pasp..113..409f&link_type=abstract
The Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Volume 113, Issue 782, pp. 409-435.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
210
Galaxy: Fundamental Parameters, Galaxy: Halo, Galaxy: Globular Clusters: General, Invited Reviews, Galaxy: Solar Neighborhood, Stars: Atmospheres, Stars: Evolution, Stars: White Dwarfs
Scientific paper
In the light of recent significant progress on both the observational and theoretical fronts, we review the status of white dwarf stars as cosmochronometers. These objects represent the end products of stellar evolution for the vast majority of stars and, as such, can be used to constrain the ages of various populations of evolved stars in the Galaxy. For example, the oldest white dwarfs in the solar neighborhood (the remnants of the very first generation of intermediate-mass stars in the Galactic disk) are still visible and can be used, in conjunction with cooling theory, to estimate the age of the disk. More recent observations suggest the tantalizing possibility that a population of very old white dwarfs inhabits the Galactic halo. Such a population may contribute significantly to baryonic ``dark'' matter in the Milky Way and may be used to obtain an independent estimate of the age of the halo. In addition, white dwarf cosmochronology is likely to play a very significant role in the coming era of giant 8-10 m telescopes when faint white dwarf populations should be routinely discovered and studied in open and globular clusters. Based, in part, on the C. S. Beals Lecture presented by G. Fontaine at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Astronomical Society held in Vancouver (2000 May).
Bergeron Pierre
Brassard Pierre
Fontaine Gérard
No associations
LandOfFree
The Potential of White Dwarf Cosmochronology does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Potential of White Dwarf Cosmochronology, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Potential of White Dwarf Cosmochronology will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-962330