GBT19B-309

A search for planets around white dwarfs

Abstract

We propose to search for white dwarf planetsby detecting radio emission generated by the unipolar dynamo mechanism, similar to that operating in the Jupiter-Io system. Such emission from white dwarf systems has been predicted to be measurable, but the concept has never been tested observationally. For the initial, exploratory version of this proposal, we have chosen three, nearby, metal polluted sources to be observed at L, S, and C-bands. Metal pollution of white dwarf atmospheres represents s strong indication for a presence planets and asteroid-mass bodies around it.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Ryan Lynch	Green Bank Observatory
Alexander Wolszczan *	Pennsylvania State University
Dimitri Veras	Warwick, University of

* indicates the PI