Studying of exoasteroids orbiting around WD 1145+017

Abstract

WD 1145+017 is the first white dwarf known to be orbited by disintegrating exoasteroids. It is a helium-dominated white dwarf with lines of metals in spectra and variable asymmetric transits. The analysis of WD 1145 light curve allowed us to identify at least 8 bodies which periodically eclipse the star, showing periods ranging from 4.490 to 4.493 hours. Waterfall diagram shows that some of these periods are not stable. Estimating transit depths gave us possibility to assess the disintegration rate. We have estimated the lower limit of dust masses associated with these bodies, which exhibits time-varying characteristics, fluctuating within the range of approximately 2 − 3 × 10 14 kg.