The evolution of white dwarfs with a varying gravitational constant

Context. Within the theoretical framework of some modern unification theories the constants of nature are functions of cosmological time. White dwarfs offer the possibility of testing a possible variation of G and, thus, to place constraints on these theories. Aims. We present full white dwarf evolu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Althaus, Leandro Gabriel, Córsico, Alejandro Hugo, Torres, S., Lorén-Aguilar, P., Isern, J., García-Berro, E.
Formato: Articulo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2011
Materias:
Ciencias Astronómicas
stars: evolution
stars: interiors
white dwarfs
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/84253
Aporte de:
SEDICI (UNLP) de Universidad Nacional de La Plata
id I19-R120-10915-84253
record_format dspace
institution Universidad Nacional de La Plata
institution_str I-19
repository_str R-120
collection SEDICI (UNLP)
language Inglés
topic Ciencias Astronómicas
stars: evolution
stars: interiors
white dwarfs
spellingShingle Ciencias Astronómicas
stars: evolution
stars: interiors
white dwarfs
Althaus, Leandro Gabriel
Córsico, Alejandro Hugo
Torres, S.
Lorén-Aguilar, P.
Isern, J.
García-Berro, E.
The evolution of white dwarfs with a varying gravitational constant
topic_facet Ciencias Astronómicas
stars: evolution
stars: interiors
white dwarfs
description Context. Within the theoretical framework of some modern unification theories the constants of nature are functions of cosmological time. White dwarfs offer the possibility of testing a possible variation of G and, thus, to place constraints on these theories. Aims. We present full white dwarf evolutionary calculations for a scenario where G decreases with time. Methods. White dwarf evolution is computed in a self-consistent way, including the most up-to-date physical inputs, non-gray model atmospheres and a detailed core chemical composition that results from the calculation of the full evolution of progenitor stars. Results. We find that the mechanical structure and the energy balance of white dwarfs are strongly modified by a varying G. In particular, for a rate of change of G higher than Ġ /G = -1 × 10-12 yr-1, the evolution of cool white dwarfs is markedly affected. The impact of a varying G is more pronounced for more massive white dwarfs. Conclusions. In view of the recent results reporting that a very accurate white dwarf cooling age can be derived for the old and metal-rich open cluster NGC 6791, our study suggests that this cluster could be a potential target to constrain or detect a hypothetical secular variation of G.
format Articulo
Articulo
author Althaus, Leandro Gabriel
Córsico, Alejandro Hugo
Torres, S.
Lorén-Aguilar, P.
Isern, J.
García-Berro, E.
author_facet Althaus, Leandro Gabriel
Córsico, Alejandro Hugo
Torres, S.
Lorén-Aguilar, P.
Isern, J.
García-Berro, E.
author_sort Althaus, Leandro Gabriel
title The evolution of white dwarfs with a varying gravitational constant
title_short The evolution of white dwarfs with a varying gravitational constant
title_full The evolution of white dwarfs with a varying gravitational constant
title_fullStr The evolution of white dwarfs with a varying gravitational constant
title_full_unstemmed The evolution of white dwarfs with a varying gravitational constant
title_sort evolution of white dwarfs with a varying gravitational constant
publishDate 2011
url http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/84253
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