WD J0651+2844

Star in the constellation Gemini
WD J0651+2844

A green band light curve for WD J0651+2844, adapted from Hermes et al. (2012)[1]
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Gemini
Right ascension 06h 51m 33.338s
Declination 28° 44′ 23.37″
Orbit[1]
Period (P)12.75344 minutes
Inclination (i)84.4°
Details
Mass0.26 / 0.50[1] M☉
Radius0.0371 / 0.0142[1] R☉
Temperature 16530 / 8700[1] K
Other designations
SDSS J065133.338+284423.37, SDSS J0651, J0651, SDSS J0651+2844, WD+WD J0651+2844
Database references
SIMBADdata

WD J0651+2844 is a white dwarf binary star system composed of two white dwarfs.[2] They are approximately 120,000 km apart and complete an orbit around their barycenter in less than 13 minutes.[1] This produces an eclipse every 6 minutes. This makes it possible to gather enough data to produce extremely accurate predictions of each future eclipse. The eclipse times deviate from the time predicted in a way consistent with gravitational waves.[3][4][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Hermes, J. J.; et al. (2012), "Rapid Orbital Decay in the 12.75-minute Binary White Dwarf J0651+2844", The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 757 (2): L21, arXiv:1208.5051, Bibcode:2012ApJ...757L..21H, doi:10.1088/2041-8205/757/2/L21, S2CID 119108968
  2. ^ "Space-warping white dwarfs produce gravitational waves". SpaceDaily. 3 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Space-warping white dwarfs produce gravitational waves". e! Science News. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  4. ^ Palmer, J. (29 August 2012). "Gravitational waves spotted from white-dwarf pair". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  5. ^ "Einstein's space 'ripples' confirmed". United Press International. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
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