Description
White dwarfs can be used as tools to measure the composition of exo-planetesimals. Any metals observed in their otherwise pure hydrogen/helium atmospheres must be from accretion of planetary objects. Spectroscopic observations of these white dwarfs allow us to measure their atmospheric abundances, and thus the abundances of the accreted material.
This method has been applied to hundreds of white dwarfs, revealing a great diversity in planetary compositions, including differentiated bodies, primitive material, comets, and ice giants. Many studies have made use of the work performed by the Solar System planetary body field. Extensive and detailed studies have measured the composition of many small Solar System bodies, which we use to characterise the type of material accreted by white dwarfs.
In my talk, I will discuss my work regarding three white dwarfs accreting i) the most core-rich exo-planetesimal discovered, ii) a primitive chondritic body with a silicon depletion, and iii) a volatile-rich Kuiper Belt-like object. I will show how Solar System studies were used to interpret the nature of this material. I will also demonstrate how white dwarf planetary science can be used to further aid the Solar System planetary body field.
Closer collaboration between these two fields will be of great mutual benefit.
