Abstract
A knowledge of the precise relationship between the age and luminosity of a white dwarf can in principle be used to determine the compositions of the white dwarfs in galactic clusters. To this end the assumptions in Mestel’s theory of white dwarf cooling are critically reviewed, and the results of recent work aimed at relaxing these restrictions are briefly summarized. It is concluded that on the basis of current knowledge an accuracy of the order of 10 or 20% in the age-luminosity relation should be attainable.
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Van Horn, H.M. (1971). Cooling of White Dwarfs. In: Luyten, W.J. (eds) White Dwarfs. International Astronomical Union/Union Astronomical International, vol 42. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-3081-6_15
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-3081-6_15
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