An aluminum/calcium-rich, iron-poor, white dwarf star: evidence for an extrasolar planetary lithosphere?

Details An aluminum/calcium-rich, iron-poor, white dwarf star: evidence for an extrasolar planetary lithosphere? An aluminum/calcium-rich, iron-poor, white dwarf star: evidence for an extrasolar planetary lithosphere?

2011-07-12

arxiv.org/abs/1107.2167v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Scientific paper

The presence of elements heavier than helium in white dwarf atmospheres is often a signpost for the existence of rocky objects that currently or previously orbited these stars. We have measured the abundances of various elements in the hydrogen-atmosphere white dwarfs G149-28 and NLTT 43806. In comparison with other white dwarfs with atmospheres polluted by heavy elements, NLTT 43806 is substantially enriched in aluminum but relatively poor in iron. We compare the relative abundances of Al and eight other heavy elements seen in NLTT 43806 with the elemental composition of bulk Earth, with simulated extrasolar rocky planets, with solar system meteorites, with the atmospheric compositions of other polluted white dwarfs, and with the outer layers of the Moon and Earth. Best agreement is found with a model that involves accretion of a mixture of terrestrial crust and upper mantle material onto NLTT 43806. The implication is that NLTT 43806 is orbited by a differentiated rocky planet, perhaps quite similar to Earth, that has suffered a collision that stripped away some of its outer layers.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

An aluminum/calcium-rich, iron-poor, white dwarf star: evidence for an extrasolar planetary lithosphere? 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 An aluminum/calcium-rich, iron-poor, white dwarf star: evidence for an extrasolar planetary lithosphere?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and An aluminum/calcium-rich, iron-poor, white dwarf star: evidence for an extrasolar planetary lithosphere? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-564677