Abstract

Patterns emerging from the asteroseismic studies of DBVs

Agnes Kim (Penn State Worthington Scranton)

The discovery and analysis of KIC 8626021, a DBV found in the field of view of the first Kepler mission, brings the total of DB pulsators fitted using White Dwarf Evolution Code models to four. We summarize results from the study of GD358, CBS114 and EC20058, and present results from the asteroseismic analysis of KIC 8626021 based on seven periods. Even if more work is required to compare the results of the analysis of each individual star with those of spectroscopy and stellar evolution calculations in absolute terms, interesting patterns emerge. For instance, we confirm a trend from small to larger helium layer mass with decreasing effective temperature, as is expected from the outward diffusion of helium as DBs cool. KIC 8626021, with exquisite data acquired by Kepler, is particularly useful in solidifying some of these trends by allowing us to precisely determine the ell identification of several of the modes from multiplet structure.

Mode of presentation: oral