| Author(s): | Aznar Cuadrado, R., Jordan, S., Napiwotzki, R., Schmid, H. M., Solanki, S. K., Mathys, G. |
| Title: | Discovery of kilogauss magnetic fields in three DA white dwarfs |
| Source: | to appear in: Astron. Astrophys. |
| Year: | 2004 |
| Abstract: | We have detected longitudinal magnetic fields between 2 and 4 kG in three (WD 0446-790, WD 1105-048, WD 2359-434) out of a sample of 12 normal DA white dwarfs by using optical spectropolarimetry done with the VLT Antu 8 m telescope equipped with FORS1. With the exception of 40 Eri B (4 kG) these are the first positive detections of magnetic fields in white dwarfs below 30 kG. Although suspected, it was not clear whether a significant fraction of white dwarfs contain magnetic fields at this level. These fields may be explained as fossil relics from magnetic fields in the main-sequence progenitors considerably enhanced by magnetic flux conservation during the shrinkage of the core. A detection rate of 25 % (3/12) may indicate now for the first time that a substantial fraction of white dwarfs have a weak magnetic field. This result, if confirmed by future observations, would form a cornerstone for our understanding on the evolution of stellar magnetic fields. |
| Preprint issued: | |
| Remarks: |
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Letzte Änderung/Updated: 03.12.2004