Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011aas...21725310w&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #217, #253.10; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 43, 2011
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
We present the discovery of a substellar companion to a nearby M dwarf member of a young moving group. We detected the companion, at a separation of 75 AU, using the Near-Infrared Coronagraphic Imager (NICI) on the Gemini-South Telescope. Two epochs of NICI observations confirm that the companion is physically associated with the primary. Its ZJHK-band colors are similar to field late-M and L dwarfs. Near-IR spectra obtained with NIFS on the Gemini North Telescope indicate a spectral type of L4 ± 1 with moderate to low surface gravity, including a triangular H-band continuum shape which appears intermediate between much younger and much older field objects. The absorption lines and bandpass continuum shapes match especially well the dusty field L4.5 dwarf 2MASS J22244381-0158521. We fit the NIFS spectra of the companion using Ames-Dusty model atmospheres and derive Teff =1700 - 1900 K and log(g) = 4.5 ± 0.5. The NIFS spectra also show that the radial velocities of A and B agree to within ±10; km/s, further confirming their physical association. Using the age and bolometric luminosity of the companion, we derive a mass of 27 ± 8 Mjup from the Lyon/Dusty evolutionary models. A photometric estimate of the metallicity of the primary star suggests perhaps a super-solar abundance, but a more precise distance to the system is needed. Altogether, our discovery represents one of the coolest young companions found to date, with a large projected separation making it an appealing substellar object for detailed follow-up studies.
Alencar Silvia H. P.
Artymowicz Pawel
Biller Beth A.
Boss Alan
Burrows Adam
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