Completeness of the Nearby White Dwarf Sample: Let Us Count the Ways

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the completeness of the nearby white dwarf sample within 25 parsecs, analyzing how various observables influence sample completeness and implications for discovering more white dwarfs.

Contribution

It investigates the dependence of white dwarf sample completeness on observables like magnitude and proper motion, offering insights into underrepresented systems and future discoveries.

Findings

Completeness varies with apparent magnitude and proper motion.

Sirius-Like systems are underrepresented in the current sample.

Guidelines for finding additional nearby white dwarfs.

Abstract

We have recently extended our ongoing survey of the local white dwarf population, effectively doubling the sample volume. Based upon the latest distance determinations, Holberg et al. (2016) estimated the present 20 pc and 25 pc samples were about 86 and 68 percent complete, respectively. Here we examine how the completeness of the 25 pc sample depends upon other observables such as apparent magnitude, proper motion, photometric color index, etc. The results may provide additional clues to why Sirius-Like systems are underrepresented in the extended 25 pc sample and how additional nearby single white dwarf stars may be found.