Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2009-12-16
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
12 pages, 1 figure; submitted to ApJ, 11 February 2009
Scientific paper
Do white dwarfs host asteroid systems? Although several lines of argument suggest that white dwarfs may be orbited by large populations of asteroids, transits would provide the most direct evidence. We demonstrate that the Kepler mission has the capability to detect transits of white dwarfs by asteroids. Because white-dwarf asteroid systems, if they exist, are likely to contain many asteroids orbiting in a spatially extended distribution, discoveries of asteroid transits can be made by monitoring only a small number of white dwarfs, compatible with Kepler's primary mission, which is to monitor stars with potentially habitable planets. Possible future missions that survey ten times as many stars with similar sensitivity and minute-cadence monitoring can establish the characteristics of asteroid systems around white dwarfs, such as the distribution of asteroid sizes and semimajor axes. Transits by planets would be more dramatic, but the probability that they will occur is lower. Ensembles of planetary moons and/or the presence of rings around planets can also produce transits detectable by Kepler. The presence of moons and rings can significantly increase the probability that Kepler will discover planets orbiting white dwarfs, even while monitoring only a small number of them.
Di Stefano Rosanne
Howell Steve B.
Kawaler Steven D.
No associations
LandOfFree
A Search for Asteroids, Moons, and Rings Orbiting White Dwarfs 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 A Search for Asteroids, Moons, and Rings Orbiting White Dwarfs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Search for Asteroids, Moons, and Rings Orbiting White Dwarfs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-684626