Detection of episodic mass outflow in the newly discovered hot DO white dwarf RE 0503-289.
Barstow, M. A.; Sion, E. M.
Abstract
We report the unexpected detection of variable mass outflow from the very hot (Teff =70000 K), He-rich DOZ1 degenerate RE 0503-289. This detection is based upon our analysis of absorption-line core strength variations and blueward asymmetries in two lUE echelle high-dispersion images obtained 13 months apart. The oufflow has a terminal velocity of -600 km s - , with the P Cygni-like line profiles exhibiting sharp flux declines near the rest velocity with gradual acceleration to the terminal speed. The presence of ongoing mass loss along the final white dwarf cooling tracks would significantly influence the evolution of white dwarf surface abundances. Key words: stars: abundances - stars: individual: RE 0503-289 - stars: mass-loss - white dwarfs.