Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-08-13
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
accepted for ApJ, December 10, 2008
Scientific paper
10.1086/592394
Field star BD+20 307 is the dustiest known main sequence star, based on the fraction of its bolometric luminosity, 4%, that is emitted at infrared wavelengths. The particles that carry this large IR luminosity are unusually warm, comparable to the temperature of the zodiacal dust in the solar system, and their existence is likely to be a consequence of a fairly recent collision of large objects such as planets or planetary embryos. Thus, the age of BD+20 307 is potentially of interest in constraining the era of terrestrial planet formation. The present project was initiated with an attempt to derive this age using the Chandra X-ray Observatory to measure the X-ray flux of BD+20 307 in conjunction with extensive photometric and spectroscopic monitoring observations from Fairborn Observatory. However, the recent realization that BD+20 307 is a short period, double-line, spectroscopic binary whose components have very different lithium abundances, vitiates standard methods of age determination. We find the system to be metal-poor; this, combined with its measured lithium abundances, indicates that BD+20 307 may be several to many Gyr old. BD+20 307 affords astronomy a rare peek into a mature planetary system in orbit around a close binary star (because such systems are not amenable to study by the precision radial velocity technique).
Fekel Francis C.
Henry Gregory W.
Muno Michael P.
Williamson Michael H.
Zuckerman Ben
No associations
LandOfFree
Planetary systems around close binary stars: the case of the very dusty, Sun-like, spectroscopic binary BD+20 307 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Planetary systems around close binary stars: the case of the very dusty, Sun-like, spectroscopic binary BD+20 307, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Planetary systems around close binary stars: the case of the very dusty, Sun-like, spectroscopic binary BD+20 307 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-386335