Precision Light Curves as Probes of Fundamental Physics

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AST-0507639Michael MontgomeryThe University of Texas at AustinPrecision Light Curves as Probes of Fundamental PhysicsABSTRACTThree projects will be carried out centered around high speed photometry and theresulting light curves from pulsating white dwarfs. First, the non-sinusoidal light curveswill be used to constrain and test developing models of convection and its dependence onthe temperature (evolution) and surface gravity (mass). A further expected outcome ismode identification, which will be used to study the internal structures of the whitedwarfs. Second, the pulsation drift of hot helium-atmosphere white dwarfs will becompared with models to determine the cooling rate due to neutrino production (viaplasmon decay). These results will be used to test theoretical models of neutrinoproduction in white dwarfs. Finally, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey archives will besearched for additional hot and high-mass white dwarfs both for use in the above effortsas well as to explore the temperatures and densities under which core crystallization takesplace. The problems to be approached here are fundamental issues in the field of compactobjects and the results are expected to have broader applications throughout astronomy(particularly with regard to convection and neutrino cooling).The project will directly involve a post doctoral researcher (the PI) and two graduatestudents who will also be supported. The results of this work will form the core of Ms.Agnes Kim's Ph.D. thesis. High school students and teachers will also take part in theobserving via remote connections.