Astronomers discover four hidden white dwarfs in nearby binary systems

University of Warwick astronomers have identified four previously concealed white dwarf stars within 65 light years of Earth using the Hubble Space Telescope.

• The team detected four white dwarfs orbiting red dwarf companions, which had hidden the white dwarfs in visible wavelengths by drowning out their light.
• University of Warwick research fellow Dr. Mairi O'Brien said the stars were a surprise because nearby isolated white dwarfs are usually easy to find.
• One binary system, G203-47, is now the ninth closest white dwarf to the Sun, and co-author Dr. David Wilson noted its unusual rotation suggests varied evolutionary histories.
• University of Warwick professor Pier-Emmanuel Tremblay estimated that nine or ten additional similar binaries may remain undetected in the local region.