Binary and multiple stars have long provided an effective empirical method of testing stellar formation and evolution theories. In particular, the existence of wide binary systems (separations ...>20,000 au) is particularly challenging to binary formation models as their physical separations are beyond the typical size of a collapsing cloud core (∼5000-10,000 au). We mined the recently published Gaia-DR2 catalog to identify bright comoving systems in the five-dimensional space (sky position, parallax, and proper motion). We identified 3741 comoving binary and multiple stellar candidate systems, out of which 575 have compatible radial velocities for all the members of the system. The candidate systems have separations between ∼400 and 500,000 au. We used the analysis tools of the Virtual Observatory to characterize the comoving system members and to assess their reliability. The comparison with previous comoving systems catalogs obtained from TGAS showed that these catalogs contain a large number of false systems. In addition, we were not able to confirm the ultra-wide binary population presented in these catalogs. The robustness of our methodology is demonstrated by the identification of well known comoving star clusters and by the low contamination rate for comoving binary systems with projected physical separations <50,000 au. These last constitute a reliable sample for further studies. The catalog is available online at the Spanish Virtual Observatory portal (http://svo2.cab.inta-csic.es/vocats/v2/comovingGaiaDR2/).
We present a catalogue of 73¿221 white dwarf candidates extracted from the astrometric and photometric data of the recently published Gaia-DR2 catalogue. White dwarfs were selected from the Gaia ...Hertzsprung–Russell diagram with the aid of the most updated population synthesis simulator. Our analysis shows that Gaia has virtually identified all white dwarfs within 100¿pc from the Sun. Hence, our sub-population of 8555 white dwarfs within this distance limit and the colour range considered, -0.52<(GBP-GRP)<0.80¿, is the largest and most complete volume-limited sample of such objects to date. From this sub-sample, we identified 8343 CO-core and 212 ONe-core white dwarf candidates and derived a white dwarf space density of 4.9±0.4×10-3pc-3¿. A bifurcation in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram for these sources, which our models do not predict, is clearly visible. We used the Virtual Observatory SED Analyzer tool to derive effective temperatures and luminosities for our sources by fitting their spectral energy distributions, that we built from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared using publicly available photometry through the Virtual Observatory. From these parameters, we derived the white dwarf radii. Interpolating the radii and effective temperatures in hydrogen-rich white dwarf cooling sequences, we derived the surface gravities and masses. The Gaia 100¿pc white dwarf population is clearly dominated by cool (~8000¿K) objects and reveals a significant population of massive (¿M~0.8M¿¿) white dwarfs, of which no more than ~30--40 per cent can be attributed to hydrogen-deficient atmospheres, and whose origin remains uncertain.
Peer Reviewed
ABSTRACT
Gaia-DR2 has provided an unprecedented number of white dwarf candidates of our Galaxy. In particular, it is estimated that Gaia-DR2 has observed nearly 400 000 of these objects and close to ...18 000 up to 100 pc from the Sun. This large quantity of data requires a thorough analysis in order to uncover their main Galactic population properties, in particular the thin and thick disc and halo components. Taking advantage of recent developments in artificial intelligence techniques, we make use of a detailed Random Forest algorithm to analyse an 8D space (equatorial coordinates, parallax, proper motion components, and photometric magnitudes) of accurate data provided by Gaia-DR2 within 100 pc from the Sun. With the aid of a thorough and robust population synthesis code, we simulated the different components of the Galactic white dwarf population to optimize the information extracted from the algorithm for disentangling the different population components. The algorithm is first tested in a known simulated sample achieving an accuracy of 85.3 per cent. Our methodology is thoroughly compared to standard methods based on kinematic criteria demonstrating that our algorithm substantially improves previous approaches. Once trained, the algorithm is then applied to the Gaia-DR2 100 pc white dwarf sample, identifying 12 227 thin disc, 1410 thick disc, and 95 halo white dwarf candidates, which represent a proportion of 74:25:1, respectively. Hence, the numerical spatial densities are $(3.6\pm 0.4)\times 10^{-3}\, {\rm pc^{-3}}$, $(1.2\pm 0.4)\times 10^{-3}\, {\rm pc^{-3}}$, and $(4.8\pm 0.4)\times 10^{-5}\, {\rm pc^{-3}}$ for the thin disc, thick disc, and halo components, respectively. The populations thus obtained represent the most complete and volume-limited samples to date of the different components of the Galactic white dwarf population.
ABSTRACT
The third data release of Gaia has provided low-resolution spectra for ∼100 000 white dwarfs (WDs) that, together with the excellent photometry and astrometry, represent an unrivalled ...benchmark for the study of this population. In this work, we first built a highly complete volume-limited sample consisting in 12 718 WDs within 100 pc from the Sun. The use of Virtual Observatory Spectral energy distribution Analyzer tool allowed us to perform an automated fitting of their spectral energy distributions to different atmospheric models. In particular, the use of spectrally derived Javalambre-Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey photometry from Gaia spectra led to the classification of DA and non-DA WDs with an accuracy >90 per cent, tested in already spectroscopically labelled objects. The excellent performance achieved was extended to practically the whole population of WDs with effective temperatures above 5500 K. Our results show that while the A branch of the Gaia WD Hertzsprung–Russell diagram is practically populated by DA WDs, the B branch is largely formed by non-DAs (65 per cent). The remaining 35 per cent of DAs within the B branch implies a second peak at ∼0.8 M⊙ in the DA mass distribution. Additionally, the Q branch and its extension to lower temperatures can be observed for both DA and non-DA objects due to core crystallization. Finally, we derived a detailed spectral evolution function, which confirms a slow increase of the fraction of non-DAs as the effective temperature decreases down to 10 500 K, where it reaches a maximum of 36 per cent and then decreases for lower temperatures down to ∼31 per cent.
ABSTRACT
We use the data provided by the Gaia Early Data Release 3 to search for a highly complete volume-limited sample of unresolved binaries consisting of a white dwarf and a main-sequence ...companion (i.e. WDMS binaries) within 100 pc. We select 112 objects based on their location within the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, of which 97 are new identifications. We fit their spectral energy distributions (SED) with a two-body fitting algorithm implemented in VOSA (Virtual Observatory SED Analyser) to derive the effective temperatures, luminosities, and radii (hence surface gravities and masses) of both components. The stellar parameters are compared to those from the currently largest catalogue of close WDMS binaries, from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We find important differences between the properties of the Gaia and SDSS samples. In particular, the Gaia sample contains WDMS binaries with considerably cooler white dwarfs and main-sequence companions (some expected to be brown dwarfs). The Gaia sample also shows an important population of systems consisting of cool and extremely low-mass white dwarfs, not present in the SDSS sample. Finally, using a Monte Carlo population synthesis code, we find that the volume-limited sample of systems identified here seems to be highly complete (≃ 80 ± 9 per cent); however, it only represents ≃9 per cent of the total underlying population. The missing ≃91 per cent includes systems in which the main-sequence companions entirely dominate the SEDs. We also estimate an upper limit to the total space density of close WDMS binaries of ≃ (3.7 ± 1.9) × 10−4 pc−3.
Context. The spatial distribution of elemental abundances in the disc of our Galaxy gives insights both on its assembly process and subsequent evolution, and on the stellar nucleogenesis of the ...different elements. Gradients can be traced using several types of objects as, for instance, (young and old) stars, open clusters, HII regions, planetary nebulae. Aims. We aim to trace the radial distributions of abundances of elements produced through different nucleosynthetic channels – the α-elements O, Mg, Si, Ca and Ti, and the iron-peak elements Fe, Cr, Ni and Sc – by use of the Gaia-ESO IDR4 results for open clusters and young-field stars. Methods. From the UVES spectra of member stars, we have determined the average composition of clusters with ages > 0.1 Gyr. We derived statistical ages and distances of field stars. We traced the abundance gradients using the cluster and field populations and compared them with a chemo-dynamical Galactic evolutionary model. Results. The adopted chemo-dynamical model, with the new generation of metallicity-dependent stellar yields for massive stars, is able to reproduce the observed spatial distributions of abundance ratios, in particular the abundance ratios of O/Fe and Mg/Fe in the inner disc (5 kpc <RGC< 7 kpc), with their differences, that were usually poorly explained by chemical evolution models. Conclusions. Oxygen and magnesium are often considered to be equivalent in tracing α-element abundances and in deducing, for example, the formation timescales of different Galactic stellar populations. In addition, often α/Fe is computed combining several α-elements. Our results indicate, as expected, a complex and diverse nucleosynthesis of the various α-elements, in particular in the high metallicity regimes, pointing towards a different origin of these elements and highlighting the risk of considering them as a single class with common features.
Context. Several works have found an increase of the abundances of the s-process neutron-capture elements in the youngest Galactic stellar populations. These trends provide important constraints on ...stellar and Galactic evolution and they need to be confirmed with large and statistically significant samples of stars spanning wide age and distance intervals. Aims. We aim to trace the abundance patterns and the time evolution of five s-process elements – two belonging to the first peak, Y and Zr, and three belonging to the second peak, Ba, La, and Ce – using the Gaia-ESO IDR5 results for open clusters and disc stars. Methods. From the UVES spectra of cluster member stars, we determined the average composition of clusters with ages >0.1 Gyr. We derived statistical ages and distances of field stars, and we separated them into thin and thick disc populations. We studied the time-evolution and dependence on metallicity of abundance ratios using open clusters and field stars whose parameters and abundances were derived in a homogeneous way. Results. Using our large and homogeneous sample of open clusters, thin and thick disc stars, spanning an age range larger than 10 Gyr, we confirm an increase towards young ages of s-process abundances in the solar neighbourhood. These trends are well defined for open clusters and stars located nearby the solar position and they may be explained by a late enrichment due to significant contribution to the production of these elements from long-living low-mass stars. At the same time, we find a strong dependence of the s-process abundance ratios on the Galactocentric distance and on the metallicity of the clusters and field stars. Conclusions. Our results, derived from the largest and most homogeneous sample of s-process abundances in the literature, confirm the growth with decreasing stellar ages of the s-process abundances in both field and open cluster stars. At the same time, taking advantage of the abundances of open clusters located in a wide Galactocentric range, these results offer a new perspective on the dependence of the s-process evolution on the metallicity and star formation history, pointing to different behaviours at various Galactocentric distances.
ABSTRACT
We analyse the 100 pc Gaia white dwarf volume-limited sample by means of VOSA (Virtual Observatory SED Analyser) with the aim of identifying candidates for displaying infrared excesses. Our ...search focuses on the study of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of 3733 white dwarfs with reliable infrared photometry and GBP − GRP colours below 0.8 mag, a sample that seems to be nearly representative of the overall white dwarf population. Our search results in 77 selected candidates, 52 of which are new identifications. For each target, we apply a two-component SED fitting implemented in VOSA to derive the effective temperatures of both the white dwarf and the object causing the excess. We calculate a fraction of infrared-excess white dwarfs due to the presence of a circumstellar disc of 1.6 ± 0.2 per cent, a value that increases to 2.6 ± 0.3 per cent if we take into account incompleteness issues. Our results are in agreement with the drop in the percentage of infrared excess detections for cool (<8000 K) and hot (>20 000 K) white dwarfs obtained in previous analyses. The fraction of white dwarfs with brown dwarf companions we derive is ≃0.1–0.2 per cent.
ABSTRACT
The Gaia mission has provided an unprecedented wealth of information about the white dwarf population of our Galaxy. In particular, our studies show that the sample up to 100 pc from the Sun ...can be considered as practically complete. This fact allows us to estimate a precise fraction of double-degenerate (1.18 ± 0.10 per cent) and white dwarf plus main-sequence stars (6.31 ± 0.23 per cent) among all white dwarfs through comoving pairs identification. With the aid of a detailed population synthesis code, we are able to reproduce synthetic white dwarf populations with nearly identical fractions as the observed ones, thus obtaining valuable information about the binary fraction, fb, initial mass ratio distribution, n(q), and initial separation distribution, f(a), among other parameters. Our best-fitting model is achieved within a 1σ confidence level for f(a) ∝ a−1, $n(q)\propto q^{n_q}$, with $n_q=-1.13^{+0.12}_{-0.10}$ and fb = 0.32 ± 0.02. The fraction of white dwarf mergers generated by this model is $9\sim 16{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, depending on the common-envelope treatment. As sub-products of our modelling, we find that around $1\sim 3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the white dwarf population are unresolved double-degenerates and that only ${\sim}1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of all white dwarfs contain a He-core. Finally, only a mild kick during white dwarf formation seems to be necessary for fitting the observed sky separation of double-degenerate systems.
Aims. We present the photometric calibration of the 12 optical passbands observed by the Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey (J-PLUS). Methods. The proposed calibration method has four ...steps: (i) definition of a high-quality set of calibration stars using Gaia information and available 3D dust maps; (ii) anchoring of the J-PLUS gri passbands to the Pan-STARRS photometric solution, accounting for the variation in the calibration with the position of the sources on the CCD; (iii) homogenization of the photometry in the other nine J-PLUS filters using the dust de-reddened instrumental stellar locus in (𝒳 − r) versus (g − i) colours, where 𝒳 is the filter to calibrate. The zero point variation along the CCD in these filters was estimated with the distance to the stellar locus. Finally, (iv) the absolute colour calibration was obtained with the white dwarf locus. We performed a joint Bayesian modelling of 11 J-PLUS colour–colour diagrams using the theoretical white dwarf locus as reference. This provides the needed offsets to transform instrumental magnitudes to calibrated magnitudes outside the atmosphere. Results. The uncertainty of the J-PLUS photometric calibration, estimated from duplicated objects observed in adjacent pointings and accounting for the absolute colour and flux calibration errors, are ∼19 mmag in u, J0378, and J0395; ∼11 mmag in J0410 and J0430; and ∼8 mmag in g, J0515, r, J0660, i, J0861, and z. Conclusions. We present an optimized calibration method for the large-area multi-filter J-PLUS project, reaching 1–2% accuracy within an area of 1022 square degrees without the need for long observing calibration campaigns or constant atmospheric monitoring. The proposed method will be adapted for the photometric calibration of J-PAS, that will observe several thousand square degrees with 56 narrow optical filters.
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