The White Dwarf Luminosity Function from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Imaging Data
Abstract
A sample of white dwarfs is selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 3 using their reduced proper motions, based on improved proper motions from combined SDSS and USNO-B data. Numerous SDSS and follow-up spectra (Kilic and coworkers) are used to quantify completeness and contamination of the sample; kinematics models are used to understand and correct for velocity-dependent selection biases. A luminosity function is constructed covering the range 7 < M(sub-bol) < 16, and its sensitivity to various assumptions and selection limits is discussed. The white dwarf luminosity function based on 6000 stars is remarkably smooth and rises nearly monotonically to M(sub-bol) = 15.3. It then drops abruptly, although the small number of low-luminosity stars in the sample and their unknown atmospheric composition prevent quantitative conclusions about this decline. Stars are identified that may have high tangential velocities, and a preliminary luminosity function is constructed for them.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA443601
Entities
People
- Donald P. Schneider
- G. R. Knapp
- Hugh C. Harris
- J. A. Smith
- James Liebert
- Jeffrey A. Munn
- Masataka Fukugita
- Mukremin Kilic
- S. J. Kleinman
- T. S. Metcalfe
Organizations
- United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station