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| Paper: |
White Dwarfs as Probes of Extrasolar Planet Compositions and Fundamental Astrophysics |
| Monograph: |
10, HWO25 Proceedings Part I: Community Science Case Development Documents |
| Page: |
61 |
| Authors: |
Siyi Xu (许偲艺); Martin Barstow; Andy Buchan; Erika Le Bourdais; Patrick Dufour |
| DOI: |
10.26624/GRGT3979 |
| Abstract: |
White dwarfs represent the most common end stage of stellar evolution and are important for a range
of astrophysical questions. The high-resolution ultraviolet spectroscopic capability of the Habitable World
Observatory (HWO) offers a unique capability to characterize white dwarfs. In this documents, we focus
on two specific science cases for HWO — white dwarfs as probes of extrasolar planet compositions, and
fundamental astrophysics. HWO will have the sensitivity to measure a suite of heavy elements, such as S, C,
O, Fe, and Si, in a large sample of polluted white dwarfs to constrain the water content and the light elements
in the cores of extrasolar planets. HWO can also be used to search for any small variation on the fine structure
constant in the presence of strong gravity. Both science cases require a minimum resolving power of 60,000,
and a ultraviolet coverage down to at least 900 Angstrom. |
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