2026ApJ...998..292G


Query : 2026ApJ...998..292G

2026ApJ...998..292G - Astrophys. J., 998, 292 (2026/February-3)

A Highly Magnetic Ultramassive White Dwarf with a 23 minute Rotation Period.

GUO J., WANG X., LIU Q., FILIPPENKO A.V., BRINK T.G., ZHAO J., ZHANG W., YANG Y., LIN J., PENG H., CHEN H., MIRZAQULOV D.O., EHGAMBERDIEV S.A., MA B., MO J., LIU C., XI G., JIANG X., XIANG D. and ZHANG J.

Abstract (from CDS):

We present a physical characterization of Tsinghua University-Ma Huateng Telescope for Survey (TMTS) J00063798+3104160 (J0006), a rapidly rotating, ultramassive white dwarf (WD) identified in high-cadence light curves from the TMTS. A coherent 23 minute periodicity is detected in TMTS, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, and Zwicky Transient Facility photometry. A time series of low-resolution spectra with the Keck-I 10 m telescope reveals broad, shallow hydrogen absorption features indicative of an extreme magnetic field and shows no evidence for radial-velocity variations. Atmospheric modeling yields a magnetic field strength of ∼250 MG, while Gaia astrometry and photometry imply a mass of 1.06 ± 0.01 M⊙. A significant infrared excess is detected in the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer W1 band and is well fitted by a 550 K blackbody, likely arising from residual material of a merger. We interpret the 23 minute photometric modulation as the rotation period of an isolated, massive WD formed likely through the merger of a double WD binary. With one of the shortest rotation periods known among candidate merger remnants and with constraints from a deep Einstein Probe X-ray nondetection, J0006 provides a rare and important observational window into the poorly explored intermediate stages of postmerger evolution.

Abstract Copyright: © 2026. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.

Journal keyword(s): White dwarf stars - DA stars - Magnetic variable stars - Stellar astronomy

Status at CDS : Large table(s) will be appraised for possible ingestion in VizieR.

Simbad objects: 6

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Number of rows : 6
N Identifier Otype ICRS (J2000)
RA
ICRS (J2000)
DEC
Mag U Mag B Mag V Mag R Mag I Sp type #ref
1850 - 2026
#notes
1 SDSS J000637.93+310415.7 WD* 00 06 37.9135723344 +31 04 15.941078148           DC 10 0
2 V* CL Oct WD* 03 17 15.8468594712 -85 32 25.558244556   13.78 13.66 15.19   DAP 180 1
3 HL Tau 76 WD* 04 18 56.6378191680 +27 17 48.314513652   15.40       DA4.3 154 0
4 IPHAS J190132.77+145807.6 WD* 19 01 32.7398565120 +14 58 07.176092088   15.51 15.72 15.78   DC2 42 0
5 ZTF J2008+4449 WD* 20 08 32.7842302848 +44 49 39.644686488           DA: 10 0
6 G 28-27 WD* 22 57 26.1169629840 +07 55 42.593636856           DAH 47 0

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