arXiv:0802.4075v1


Pollution of single white dwarfs by accretion of many small asteroids
Authors: M. Jura (UCLA)
arXiv:0802.4075v1

    Abstract: Extrapolating from the solar system's asteroid belt, we propose that externally-contaminated white dwarfs without an 
infrared excess may be experiencing continuous accretion of gas-phase material that ultimately is derived from the tidal destruction 
of multiple small asteroids. If this scenario is correct, then observations of metal-polluted white dwarfs may lead to determining 
the bulk elemental compositions of ensembles of extrasolar minor planets.

Comments:     AJ, in press, 19 pages, 4 figures