loading page

PRECISION ASTEROSEISMOLOGY OF THE WHITE DWARF GD 1212 USING A TWO-WHEEL CONTROLLED KEPLER SPACECRAFT
  • +8
  • JJ Hermes,
  • Thomas Barclay,
  • Steven Kawaler,
  • Fergal Mullally,
  • Awaiting Activation,
  • Awaiting Activation,
  • Barbara,
  • Mike Montgomery,
  • ValerieVanGrootel,
  • Steven Bloemen,
  • Erika Pakstiene
JJ Hermes

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Thomas Barclay
Author Profile
Steven Kawaler
Author Profile
Fergal Mullally
Author Profile
Awaiting Activation
Author Profile
Awaiting Activation
Author Profile
Mike Montgomery
Author Profile
ValerieVanGrootel
Author Profile
Steven Bloemen
Author Profile
Erika Pakstiene
Author Profile

Abstract

We present a preliminary analysis of the cool pulsating white dwarf GD1212, enabled by more than 11.5 days of space-based photometry obtained during an engineering test of a two-reaction wheel controlled Kepler spacecraft. We detect at least 21 independent pulsation modes, ranging from \(369.8-1220.8\)s, and at least 17 nonlinear combination frequencies of those independent pulsations. Our longest uninterrupted light curve, 9.0 days in length, evidences coherent difference frequencies at periods inaccessible from the ground, up to 14.5hr, the longest-period signals ever detected in a pulsating white dwarf. These results mark some of the first science to come from a two-wheel controlled Kepler spacecraft, proving the capability for unprecedented discoveries afforded by extending Kepler observations to the ecliptic.