Evolved solar systems in Praesepe

TL;DR

This study used near-IR photometry to search for dusty debris disks around Praesepe white dwarfs but found none, while suggesting a possible substellar companion to one white dwarf.

Contribution

First near-IR photometry survey of Praesepe white dwarfs to detect debris disks and potential substellar companions.

Findings

No debris disks detected around the white dwarfs.

Potential unresolved T8 dwarf companion to WD0837+185.

White dwarfs are in the DAZ temperature regime.

Abstract

We have obtained near-IR photometry for the 11 Praesepe white dwarfs, to search for an excess indicative of a dusty debris disk. All the white dwarfs are in the DAZ temperature regime, however we find no indications of a disk around any white dwarf. We have, however determined that the radial velocity variable white dwarf WD0837+185 could have an unresolved T8 dwarf companion that would not be seen as a near-IR excess.