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arXiv · 0802.4075

Pollution of single white dwarfs by accretion of many small asteroids

M. Jura
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Abstract

Extrapolating from the solar system's asteroid belt, we propose that externally-contaminated white dwarfs without an infrared excess may be experiencing continuous accretion of gas-phase material that ultimately is derived from the tidal destruction of multiple small asteroids. If this scenario is correct, then observations of metal-polluted white dwarfs may lead to determining the bulk elemental compositions of ensembles of extrasolar minor planets.

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M. Jura. 2008-02-27. Pollution of single white dwarfs by accretion of many small asteroids. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-6256%2F135%2F5%2F1785

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