A Methane Imaging Survey for T Dwarf Candidates in Rho Ophiuchi

Details A Methane Imaging Survey for T Dwarf Candidates in Rho Ophiuchi A Methane Imaging Survey for T Dwarf Candidates in Rho Ophiuchi

2010-07-14

arxiv.org/abs/1007.2406v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

12 pages, 2 figures

Scientific paper

We report the results of the first deep, wide-field, near-infrared methane imaging survey of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud core to search for T dwarfs. Among the 6587 objects detected, 22 were identified as T dwarf candidates. Brown dwarf models indicate that at the age and distance of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud, these T dwarf candidates have masses between 1 and 2 Jupiter masses. If confirmed as genuine T dwarfs, these objects would be the youngest, lowest mass, and lowest gravity free-floating objects ever directly observed. The existence of these candidates suggests that the initial mass function of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud extends well into the regime of planetary mass objects. A large fraction (59% +/- 16%) of our T dwarf candidates appear to be surrounded by circumstellar disks, and thus represent the lowest mass objects yet found to harbor circumstellar disks.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A Methane Imaging Survey for T Dwarf Candidates in Rho Ophiuchi 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 A Methane Imaging Survey for T Dwarf Candidates in Rho Ophiuchi, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Methane Imaging Survey for T Dwarf Candidates in Rho Ophiuchi will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-121340