Search for supermassive white dwarfs

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26800113
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Astronomy
• Research Institution: Nagoya University (2015-2017); Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (2014)
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Takayuki 名古屋大学, 理学研究科, 学振特別研究員(SPD) (20637748)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 白色矮星 / 激変星 / 強磁場 / 連星系 / プラズマ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this research is to verify the mass limit of white dwarfs by measuring masses and radii of white dwarfs. The absolute luminosity of any type Ia supernova is thought to be almost constant because the mass limit is believed to be constant for any white dwarfs. Therefore, type Ia supernovae are used to measure distance to distant galaxies.
To accomplish the purpose, I created an X-ray spectral model of white dwarfs. Especially, I note that I modeled spectrum of X-ray reflection from white dwarf surface by a detailed computer simulation in addition to thermal X-ray spectrum from plasma near the white dwarf surface. The purpose will be accomplished by application of my X-ray spectral model to observed data.

Free Research Field

X線天文学