The ESO supernovae type Ia progenitor survey (SPY) The radial velocities of 643 DA white dwarfs
Napiwotzki R, Karl CA, Lisker T, Catalan S, Drechsel H, Heber U, Homeier D, Koester D, Leibundgut B, Marsh TR, Moehler S, Nelemans G, Reimers D, Renzini A, Stroeer A, Yungelson L (2020)
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2020
Journal
Publisher: EDP SCIENCES S A
Book Volume: 638
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201629648
Abstract
Close double degenerate binaries are one of the favoured progenitor channels for type Ia supernovae, but it is unclear how many suitable systems there are in the Galaxy. We report results of a large radial velocity survey for double degenerate (DD) binaries using the UVES spectrograph at the ESO VLT (ESO SN Ia Progenitor surveY - SPY). Exposures taken at different epochs are checked for radial velocity shifts indicating close binary systems. We observed 689 targets classified as DA white dwarfs (displaying hydrogen-rich atmospheres), of which 46 were found to possess a cool companion. We measured radial velocities (RV) of the remaining 643 DA white dwarfs. We managed to secure observations at two or more epochs for 625 targets, supplemented by eleven objects meeting our selection criteria from literature. The data reduction and analysis methods applied to the survey data are described in detail. The sample contains 39 double degenerate binaries, only four of which were previously known. Twenty are double-lined systems, in which features from both components are visible, the other 19 are single-lined binaries. We provide absolute RVs transformed to the heliocentric system suitable for kinematic studies. Our sample is large enough to sub-divide by mass: 16 out of 44 low mass targets (<= 0.45 M-circle dot) are detected as DDs, while just 23 of the remaining 567 targets with multiple spectra and mass > 0.45 M-circle dot are double. The detected fraction amongst the low mass objects (36.4 +/- 7.3%) is significantly higher than for the higher-mass, carbon-oxygen core dominated part of the sample (3.9 +/- 0.8%), but it is much lower than expected from the detection efficiency for companion masses of 0.05 M-circle dot or higher and a 100% binary fraction. This suggests either companion stars of with a mass below 0.05 M-circle dot or some of the low mass white dwarfs are single.
Authors with CRIS profile
Horst Drechsel
Dr.Karl-Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Astronomisches Institut
Ulrich Heber
Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
Involved external institutions
European Southern Observatory (ESO)
Germany (DE)
University of Warwick
United Kingdom (GB)
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Germany (DE)
University of Hertfordshire
United Kingdom (GB)
Universität Hamburg (UHH)
Germany (DE)
Russian Academy of Sciences / Росси́йская акаде́мия нау́к (RAS)
Russian Federation (RU)
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven
Belgium (BE)
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Germany (DE)
National Institute for Astrophysics / Istituto Nazionale Astrofisica (INAF)
Italy (IT)
Germany (DE)
University of Warwick
United Kingdom (GB)
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Germany (DE)
University of Hertfordshire
United Kingdom (GB)
Universität Hamburg (UHH)
Germany (DE)
Russian Academy of Sciences / Росси́йская акаде́мия нау́к (RAS)
Russian Federation (RU)
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven
Belgium (BE)
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Germany (DE)
National Institute for Astrophysics / Istituto Nazionale Astrofisica (INAF)
Italy (IT)
How to cite
APA:
Napiwotzki, R., Karl, C.A., Lisker, T., Catalan, S., Drechsel, H., Heber, U.,... Yungelson, L. (2020). The ESO supernovae type Ia progenitor survey (SPY) The radial velocities of 643 DA white dwarfs. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 638. https://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201629648
MLA:
Napiwotzki, R., et al. "The ESO supernovae type Ia progenitor survey (SPY) The radial velocities of 643 DA white dwarfs." Astronomy & Astrophysics 638 (2020).
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