STScI Preprint #1242

The Rotation Rates of White Dwarfs and Pulsars

We examine the question of why the white dwarfs in dwarf nova system are found to be rotating much slower than expected. We propose a model in which the accreted angular momentum is removed during nova outbursts. We find that the efficiency of transport of angular momentum between the white dwarf and the extended nova envelope is rather low. We show that using the same efficiency for the core-envelope coupling in giant stars we can explain the initial spins of pulsars.

Status:

Appeared in: The Astrophysical Journal, 505:339-343, 1998

Affiliations:

¹)Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
²) Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HA, United Kingdom