Program: GN-2024B-Q-238

Title:Characterization of a Benchmark White Dwarf / M Dwarf Binary System in the Solar Neighborhood through Photometric and Astrometric Analysis
PI:Etienne Artigau
Co-I(s): Patrick Dufour, Siyi Xu, René Doyon, Andres Carmona, Claire Moutou, Jean-François Donati, Xavier Delfosse, Charles Cadieux, David Lafrenière

Abstract

A large sample of M dwarfs in the solar neighbourhood has been monitored over the past 5 years in search of planetary companions. One object, TYC-3890-1081-1 (M4V, 8pc from the Sun) displays an acceleration at the km/s/year level that was initially thought to be due to a brown dwarf companion. This monitoring now sets a >0.6 Msun constraint on the 'companion', suggesting that it is most likely a white dwarf or, more unlikely, a neutron star or even a black hole. The 4AU separation of the pair would imply that it survived common-envelope evolution. We propose to obtain high-contrast imaging of this unique system to constraint its physical properties.