White dwarf-open cluster associations based on Gaia DR2

TL;DR

This study identifies white dwarf members in open clusters using Gaia DR2 data, enabling precise determination of their properties and contributing to understanding stellar evolution and the initial-final mass relation.

Contribution

The paper compiles and analyzes Gaia DR2 data to identify new white dwarf-open cluster associations and reassess existing memberships, refining the initial-final mass relation around 2 solar masses.

Findings

Detected several new white dwarf members in open clusters.

Reassessed and confirmed previous white dwarf memberships.

Found WDs that inform the initial-final mass relation around 2 solar masses.

Abstract

Fundamental parameters and physical processes leading to the formation of white dwarfs (WDs) may be constrained and refined by discovering WDs in open clusters (OCs). Cluster membership can be utilized to establish the precise distances, luminosities, ages, and progenitor masses of such WDs. We compile a list of probable WDs that are OC members in order to facilitate WD studies that are impractical or difficult to conduct for Galactic field WDs. We use recent catalogs of WDs and OCs that are based on the second data release of the \textit{Gaia} satellite mission (GDR2) to identify WDs that are OC members. This crossmatch is facilitated by the astrometric and photometric data contained in GDR2 and the derived catalogs. Assuming that most of the WD members are of the DA type, we estimate the WD masses, cooling ages, and progenitor masses. We have detected several new likely WD members and reassessed the membership of the literature WDs that had been previously associated with the studied OCs. Several of the recovered WDs fall into the recently reported discontinuity in the initial-final mass relation (IFMR) around $M_{i} \sim 2.0 M_{\odot}$, which allows for tighter constrains on the IFMR in this regime.