A second case of outbursts in a pulsating white dwarf observed by Kepler

TL;DR

This study reports the discovery of large-amplitude outbursts in a cool pulsating white dwarf, observed continuously by Kepler, revealing new insights into white dwarf pulsation behavior near the red edge of the instability strip.

Contribution

First detailed observation of outbursts in a second pulsating white dwarf, linking these events to stellar pulsations and convection zones.

Findings

Outbursts recur every ~8 days and last ~15 hours.

Maximum flux excursions reach up to 45%.

Outbursts influence pulsation patterns.

Abstract

We present observations of a new phenomenon in pulsating white dwarf stars: large-amplitude outbursts at timescales much longer than the pulsation periods. The cool (Teff = 11,010 K), hydrogen-atmosphere pulsating white dwarf PG 1149+057 was observed nearly continuously for more than 78.8 d by the extended Kepler mission in K2 Campaign 1. The target showed 10 outburst events, recurring roughly every 8 d and lasting roughly 15 hr, with maximum flux excursions up to 45% in the Kepler bandpass. We demonstrate that the outbursts affect the pulsations and therefore must come from the white dwarf. Additionally, we argue that these events are not magnetic reconnection flares, and are most likely connected to the stellar pulsations and the relatively deep surface convection zone. PG 1149+057 is now the second cool pulsating white dwarf to show this outburst phenomenon, after the first variable white dwarf observed in the Kepler mission, KIC 4552982. Both stars have the same effective temperature, within the uncertainties, and are among the coolest known pulsating white dwarfs of typical mass. These outbursts provide fresh observational insight into the red edge of the DAV instability strip and the eventual cessation of pulsations in cool white dwarfs.