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arXiv · 1411.5036

Evidence for an Anhydrous Carbonaceous Extrasolar Minor Planet

M. Jura·P. Dufour·S. Xu·B. Zuckerman·B. Klein·E. D. Young·C. Melis
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Abstract

Using Keck/HIRES, we report abundances of 11 different elements heavier than helium in the spectrum of Ton 345, a white dwarf that has accreted one of its own minor planets. This particular extrasolar planetesimal which was at least 60% as massive as Vesta appears to have been carbon-rich and water-poor; we suggest it was compositionally similar to those Kuiper Belt Objects with relatively little ice.

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M. Jura, P. Dufour, S. Xu, B. Zuckerman, B. Klein, E. D. Young, C. Melis. 2014-11-18. Evidence for an Anhydrous Carbonaceous Extrasolar Minor Planet. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x%2F799%2F1%2F109

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