How confident are we that all of the nearest white dwarfs ( WDs ) have been identified ?
In an effort to answer this question , we have begun an initiative to identify and characterize new nearby WDs , particularly in the southern hemisphere .
We estimate physical parameters for new WDs using medium resolution ( R \sim 1000 ) optical spectroscopy , and distances using optical photometry combined with 2MASS near-infrared photometry .
For objects within 25 pc ( Catalogue of Nearby Stars , and NStars Database horizons ) , we determine a trigonometric parallax via CTIOPI ( Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory Parallax Investigation ) .
Of the 37 new WD systems discovered so far , fourteen are likely within 25 pc , a volume that contains 107 WDs with trigonometric parallaxes .
Interesting objects include two that are likely double degenerates including one with a magnetic component , one that is a cool ( T _ { eff } \sim 5000 K ) likely mixed atmosphere WD with deficient flux at near-infrared wavelengths , and two that are metal-rich .
Observations are underway via the Hubble Space Telescope to resolve four potential double degenerates ( the new magnetic WD and three other previously known WDs ) for dynamical mass determinations .
All ground-based observations are obtained as part of the SMARTS ( Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System ) Consortium at CTIO .