Abstract: White dwarfs (WDs) are the expected final fate for the vast majority of stars. Open clusters provide a unique environment for studying WDs because the shared age and composition of cluster members provide insight into their prior evolution. A major application of cluster WDs is studying the initial-final mass relation (IFMR), which links a WD's mass to the initial mass of its progenitor star. The IFMR provides key constraints on core growth and stellar mass loss and is a fundamental input for modeling stellar populations. In recent years, the Gaia mission has transformed cluster WD studies by substantially increasing both the known WD and cluster populations, as well as providing precise proper motions and parallaxes.
I will present results from a series of recent and ongoing studies, including a comprehensive redevelopment of the IFMR, the discovery of the most massive cluster white dwarf, analysis of cluster WDs in large spectroscopic surveys, and studies of escaped WD populations. Additionally, I will detail targeted work on a possible non-monotonic feature at low progenitor masses, which may be linked to the onset of carbon star formation. Finally, I will discuss investigations of atypical WD populations in cluster environments.
Bio:
Dave is a PhD candidate in Astronomy at the University of British Columbia, supervised by Jeremy Heyl and previously by the late Harvey Richer. His research focuses on white dwarfs in open clusters, particularly the initial-final mass relation and unusual white dwarf populations.
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2026-09-28T16:00:002026-09-28T17:00:00Probing stellar evolution with white dwarfs in open clustersEvent Information:
Abstract:White dwarfs (WDs) are the expected final fate for the vast majority of stars. Open clusters provide a unique environment for studying WDs because the shared age and composition of cluster members provide insight into their prior evolution. A major application of cluster WDs is studying the initial-final mass relation (IFMR), which links a WD's mass to the initial mass of its progenitor star. The IFMR provides key constraints on core growth and stellar mass loss and is a fundamental input for modeling stellar populations. In recent years, the Gaia mission has transformed cluster WD studies by substantially increasing both the known WD and cluster populations, as well as providing precise proper motions and parallaxes.
I will present results from a series of recent and ongoing studies, including a comprehensive redevelopment of the IFMR, the discovery of the most massive cluster white dwarf, analysis of cluster WDs in large spectroscopic surveys, and studies of escaped WD populations. Additionally, I will detail targeted work on a possible non-monotonic feature at low progenitor masses, which may be linked to the onset of carbon star formation. Finally, I will discuss investigations of atypical WD populations in cluster environments.
Bio:
Dave is a PhD candidate in Astronomy at the University of British Columbia, supervised by Jeremy Heyl and previously by the late Harvey Richer. His research focuses on white dwarfs in open clusters, particularly the initial-final mass relation and unusual white dwarf populations.
Learn More:
See Dave's personal research website: https://davidmillerastro.com/ Event Location:
HENN 318
