Physics
Scientific paper
May 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007sptz.prop40325b&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #40325
Physics
Scientific paper
Irradiation of substellar brown dwarfs and hot Jupiters in close binaries can increase their surface temperatures by an order of magnitude, alter their radii and atmospheric structure, and lead to moderate mass loss. In these synchronously rotating systems, substantial temperature diffences between the 'day' and 'night' sides could lead to strong winds and jet streams transporting heat to the 'night' side. Variations between the brightness of the 'day' and 'night ' sides of the hot Jupiter upsilon And b have recently been detected by Spitzer, but the contrast between star and planet prevents a more detailed investigation. WD0137-349 is a unique close, detached binary containing a white dwarf and a substellar secondary. The brown dwarf is clearly detected at near-IR and mid-IR wavelengths. The hemisphere of the 0.053Msun brown dwarf facing the 16,500K white dwarf intercepts ~1% of its light and is being heated through irradiation. K-band photometry reveals ±15% variations between the 'day' and 'night' hemispheres. A short IRAC observation in Cycle 3 also reveals significant variability over a period of just ten minutes. These data strongly suggest that there are significant differences in luminosity and temperature between the 'day' and 'night' hemispheres. We will obtain time-resolved IRAC photometry of WD0137-349 in all four channels over the entire 116 minute orbital period to make a detailed investigation of the heating effects on the brown dwarf's atmosphere, and to accurately measure the temperature across the entire surface. These observations will help us to understand how irradiation affects the atmospheric structure and evolution of very cool, low mass objects, and to develop and test new atmospheric models for irradiated brown dwarfs and hot Jupiters.
Brinkworth Carolyn
Burleigh Matt
Burrows Adam
Dobbie Paul
Hoard Donald
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