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White Dwarfs as Tools of Fundamental Physics: the GravitationalConstant Case

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 September 2002

O. Bienaymé ,
C. Turon ,
J. Isern ,
E. García­Berro  and
M. Salaris
J. Isern
Affiliation:
IEEC/CSIC, E. Nexus, c/Gran Capità  2, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
E. García­Berro
Affiliation:
IEEC/UPC, Departament de Física Aplicada, c/Jordi Girona Salgado s/n, Mòdul B-4, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
M. Salaris
Affiliation:
Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, 12 Quays House, Egerton Wharf, Birkenhead CH41 1LD, UK
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Abstract

In this paper we examine the effects introduced in the luminosity function of white dwarf stars by a change of the gravitational constant during the life of the Universe. A decrease of G induces the expansion of the star and accelerates its cooling. This effect has noticeable effects on the luminosity function and can be used to set upper bounds on the rate of change of G. Preliminary results indicate that Ġ/G ≤ 10-13 yr-1. These values are the best ever obtained and will improve as the white dwarf luminosity function will improve.

Type
Research Article
Information
European Astronomical Society Publications Series , Volume 2: GAIA: A European Space Project , 2002 , pp. 123 - 128
Copyright
© EAS, EDP Sciences, 2002

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