Discovery of a 0.15" Binary Brown Dwarf 2MASSJ 1426316+155701 With Gemini/Hokupa'a Adaptive Optics

Details Discovery of a 0.15" Binary Brown Dwarf 2MASSJ 1426316+155701 With Gemini/Hokupa'a Adaptive Optics Discovery of a 0.15" Binary Brown Dwarf 2MASSJ 1426316+155701 With Gemini/Hokupa'a Adaptive Optics

2001-10-30

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0110669v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Scientific paper

10.1086/337916

Use of the highly sensitive Hokupa'a curvature wavefront sensor has allowed for the first time direct adaptive optics (AO) guiding on brown dwarfs and VLM stars (SpT=M7-L2). An initial survey of 9 such objects discovered one 0.15" binary (2MASSJ 1426316+155701). The companion is about half as bright as the primary (Delta K = 0.61+/-0.05$, Delta H = 0.70+/-0.05) and has even redder colors H-K=0.59+/-0.14 than the primary. The blended spectrum of the binary has been previously determined to be M9.0. We modeled a blend of an M8.5 template and a L1-L3 template reproducing a M9.0 spectrum in the case of Delta K = 0.61+/-0.05,Delta H = 0.70\pm0.05$. These spectral types also match the observed H-K colors of each star. Based the previously observed low space motion and $H_{\alpha}$ activity we assign an age of $0.8^{+6.7}_{-0.3} Gyr$. Utilizing this age range and the latest DUSTY models of the Lyon group we assign a photometric distance of $18.8^{+1.44}_{-1.02} pc$ and masses of $M_{A}=0.074^{+0.005}_{-0.011} M_\odot$ and $M_{B}=0.066^{+0.006}_{-0.015} M_\odot$. We therefore estimate a system separation of $2.92_{+0.22}^{-0.16}AU$ and a period of $13.3{+3.18}^{-1.51} yr$ respectively. Hence, 2M1426 is among the smallest separation brown dwarf binaries resolved to date.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Discovery of a 0.15" Binary Brown Dwarf 2MASSJ 1426316+155701 With Gemini/Hokupa'a Adaptive Optics 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 Discovery of a 0.15" Binary Brown Dwarf 2MASSJ 1426316+155701 With Gemini/Hokupa'a Adaptive Optics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Discovery of a 0.15" Binary Brown Dwarf 2MASSJ 1426316+155701 With Gemini/Hokupa'a Adaptive Optics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-103991