Document Type

Article

Publication Title

The Astronomical Journal

Abstract

Observations of cool white dwarf stars with the Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered a number of spectral features from previously unobserved species. In this paper we present the data on four cool white dwarfs. We present line identifications, equivalent width measurements, and brief summaries of the significance of our findings. The four stars observed are GD 40 (DBZ3), G 74-7 (DAZ), L 745-46A (DZ), and LDS 749 B (DBA). Many additional species of heavy elements were detected in GD 40 and G 74-7. In L 745-46A,while the detections are limited to Fe I, Fe II, and Mg II, the quality of the Mg II h and k line profiles should permit a test of the line broadening theories, which are so crucial to abundance determinations. The clear detection of Mg II h and k in LDS 749 B should, once an abundance determination is made, provide a clear test of the hypothesis that the DBA stars are the result of accretion from the interstellar medium. This star contains no other clear features other than a tantalizing hint of C II 1335 with a P Cygni profile, and some expected He I lines.

DOI

10.1086/117356

Publication Date

3-1995

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