Other
Scientific paper
Mar 1986
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986apj...302..462a&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 302, March 1, 1986, p. 462-476.
Other
51
Comets, Stellar Evolution, Stellar Orbits, White Dwarf Stars, Abundance, Equations Of Motion, Hamiltonian Functions, Monte Carlo Method, Oort Cloud, Stellar Luminosity, Stellar Mass Accretion, Stellar Mass Ejection, Comets, Abundance, Orbits, Clouds, Comparisons, Theoretical Studies, Accretion, Calcium, Source, Procedure, Metal, Atmosphere, Models
Scientific paper
It is shown how to obtain interesting limits on the number of comets in orbit around other single stars in clouds similar to the one present in our own solar system. The number of comets around white dwarf stars is constrained directly, and this in turn constrains the presence of comets around main-sequence stars. If a white dwarf possesses a cloud of comets similar to the Oort cloud, it will occassionally accrete a comet. The accretion of a comet may add enough heavy elements to the atmosphere of the white dwarf to produce a recognizable spectral signature; it is suggested that the calcium reported in the white dwarf G 74-7 is due to recent comet accretion. This signature will persist until sedimentation has removed the heavy elements from the atmosphere; the mean time between accretion events is comparable to the sedimentation time for cool DA stars, so this signature should be frequently observed if cometary systems are common. The possibility that cometary systems greater than or approximately equal to 3 times more massive than the Oort cloud are present around most white dwarf stars are excluded and how this limit can be improved is indicated. It is shown that a star keeps most of its comets during the vigorous mass loss phase prior to the appearance of the white dwarf star. Thus, the constraints obtained here may be applied to the main-sequence progenitors of the white dwarfs.
Alcock Charles
Fristrom Carl Chandler
Siegelman R.
No associations
LandOfFree
On the number of comets around other single stars 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 On the number of comets around other single stars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the number of comets around other single stars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1280601