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White Dwarfs as Tools of Fundamental Physics: the GravitationalConstant Case
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 September 2002
Abstract
In this paper we examine the effects introduced in the luminosity function of white dwarf stars by a change of the gravitational constant during the life of the Universe. A decrease of G induces the expansion of the star and accelerates its cooling. This effect has noticeable effects on the luminosity function and can be used to set upper bounds on the rate of change of G. Preliminary results indicate that Ġ/G ≤ 10-13 yr-1. These values are the best ever obtained and will improve as the white dwarf luminosity function will improve.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- European Astronomical Society Publications Series , Volume 2: GAIA: A European Space Project , 2002 , pp. 123 - 128
- Copyright
- © EAS, EDP Sciences, 2002
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