Further Insight on the Hypervelocity White Dwarf, LP 40–365 (GD 492): A Nearby Emissary from a Single-degenerate Type Ia Supernova

摘要

The recently discovered hypervelocity white dwarf LP 40?365 (aka GD 492) has been suggested as the outcome of the failed disruption of a white dwarf in a subluminous Type?Ia supernova (SN Ia). We present new observations confirming GD 492 as a single star with unique spectral features. Our spectroscopic analysis suggests that a helium-dominated atmosphere, with 33% neon and 2% oxygen by mass, can reproduce most of the observed properties of this highly unusual star. Although our atmospheric model contrasts with the previous analysis in terms of dominant atmospheric species, we confirm that the atmosphere of GD 492 is strongly hydrogen deficient, , and displays traces of 11 other α and iron-group elements (with sulfur, chromium, manganese, and titanium as new detections), indicating nuclear processing of carbon and silicon. We measure a manganese-to-iron ratio seven times larger than solar. While the observed abundances of GD 492 do not fully match any predicted nuclear yields of a partially burned supernova remnant, the manganese excess strongly favors a link with a single-degenerate SN?Ia event over alternative scenarios.