Spectrum of white dwarf stars in NGC 6397

This chart displays the spectra of four White Dwarf stars in globular cluster NGC 6397, obtained with ANTU/FORS1 and identified as such from these data. The spectra were shifted vertically so that they do not overlap. The wavelength is indicated along the abscissa; the intensity along the ordinate. A "standard" spectrum of a White Dwarf star (of spectral type DA - the hydrogen-rich variety) is shown at the top for comparison. Broad absorption lines from hydrogen atoms in the atmosphere are visible. Although the signal-to-noise ratio is quite small, especially for the lower spectra of the fainter stars, they all show the same strong, broad absorption lines as the comparison spectrum. This permits to classify them unambiguously as WD stars. Individual differences, for instance of the widths of the absorption lines, are clearly present and point to different surface gravity and masses.

Herkunftsnachweis:

ESO

Über das Bild

ID:eso9953b
Typ:Aufsuchkarte
Veröffentlichungsdatum:16. Dezember 1999
Dazugehörige Veröffentlichungen:eso9953
Größe:764 x 962 px

Über das Objekt

Name:NGC 6397
Typ:Milky Way : Star : Evolutionary Stage : White Dwarf
Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Globular
Entfernung:7000 Lichtjahre
Kategorie:Star Clusters
Stars

Bildformate

Großes JPEG
203,2 KB

Farben & Filter

SpektralbereichTeleskop
Optisch
B
Very Large Telescope
FORS1