WD J0651+2844

WD J0651+2844
Observation data
Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation Gemini
Right ascension 06h 51m 33.338s
Declination 28° 44′ 23.37″
Characteristics
Astrometry
Details
Other designations
SDSS J065133.338+284423.37, SDSS J0651, J0651, SDSS J0651+2844, WD+WD J0651+2844
Database references

WD J0651+2844 is a white dwarf binary star system composed of two white dwarfs.[1] They are approximately 120,000 km apart and complete an orbit around their barycenter in less than 13 minutes.[2] This produces an eclipse every 6 minutes. This makes it possible to gather enough data to produce extremely accurate predictions of each future eclipse. The eclipse times deviate from the time predicted in a way consistent with gravitational waves.[3][4][5]

References

  1. ↑ "Space-warping white dwarfs produce gravitational waves". SpaceDaily. 3 September 2012.
  2. ↑ Hermes, J. J.; et al. (2012). "Rapid Orbital Decay in the 12.75-minute WD+WD Binary J0651+2844" 727 (2). arXiv:1208.5051. Bibcode:2012ApJ...757L..21H. doi:10.1088/2041-8205/757/2/L21. Unsupported parameter(s) in cite arXiv (help)
  3. ↑ "Space-warping white dwarfs produce gravitational waves". e! Science News. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  4. ↑ Palmer, J. (29 August 2012). "Gravitational waves spotted from white-dwarf pair". BBC News. Retrieved 2012-09-01.
  5. ↑ "Einstein's space 'ripples' confirmed". United Press International. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-01.