Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2001-10-03
Astrophys.J.561:L195-L198,2001
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
ApJ Letters (in press)
Scientific paper
10.1086/324754
We have identified four brown dwarfs in the Taurus star-forming region. They were first selected from $R$ and $I$ CCD photometry of 2.29 square degrees obtained at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. Subsequently, they were recovered in the 2MASS second incremental data release point source catalog. Low-resolution optical spectra obtained at the William Herschel telescope allow us to derive spectral types in the range M7--M9. One of the brown dwarfs has very strong H$\alpha$ emission (EW=-340 \AA). It also displays Br$\gamma$ emission in an infrared spectrum obtained with IRCS on the Subaru telescope, suggesting that it is accreting matter from a disk. The \ion{K}{1} resonance doublet and the \ion{Na}{1} subordinate doublet at 818.3 and 819.5 nm in these Taurus objects are weaker than in field dwarfs of similar spectral type, consistent with low surface gravities as expected for young brown dwarfs. Two of the objects are cooler and fainter than GG Tau Bb, the lowest mass known member of the Taurus association. We estimate masses of only 0.03 M$_\odot$ for them. The spatial distribution of brown dwarfs in Taurus hints to a possible anticorrelation between the density of stars and the density of brown dwarfs.
Cuillandre Jean Charles
Delfosse Xavier
Dougados Catherine
Magazzu Antonio
Magnier Eugene
No associations
LandOfFree
Four Brown Dwarfs in the Taurus Star-Forming Region 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 Four Brown Dwarfs in the Taurus Star-Forming Region, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Four Brown Dwarfs in the Taurus Star-Forming Region will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-416698