CCA Colloquium: Keaton Bell

Title: An Astrometric and Asteroseismic Synergy for Fundamental White Dwarf Properties

Abstract: Pulsating white dwarf stars ring out in multiple simultaneous frequencies that can, in principle, be used to sensitively map the stellar interior—a technique known as asteroseismology. In practice, this is extremely challenging. While the quality of data for asteroseismology has advanced tremendously with precision photometry from the Kepler and TESS missions, reliable constraints on the white dwarf interior have yet to be achieved. Astrometry suggests a way forward. I demonstrate how parallax measurements from Gaia can by combined with simple asteroseismic measurements to accurately measure the global properties of white dwarf mass and effective temperature, a major step toward realizing the full potential of white dwarf asteroseismology. I describe our modern understanding of white dwarf pulsations, methods for addressing data challenges, and exciting open questions.