The Discovery of Y Dwarfs Using Data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)

Details The Discovery of Y Dwarfs Using Data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) The Discovery of Y Dwarfs Using Data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)

2011-08-23

arxiv.org/abs/1108.4678v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

Submitted June 11 and accepted August 2 for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Scientific paper

We present the discovery of seven ultracool brown dwarfs identified with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). Near-infrared spectroscopy reveals deep absorption bands of H_2O and CH_4 that indicate all seven of the brown dwarfs have spectral types later than UGPS J072227.51-054031.2, the latest type T dwarf currently known. The spectrum of WISEP J182831.08+265037.8 is distinct in that the heights of the J- and H-band peaks are approximately equal in units of f_lambda, so we identify it as the archetypal member of the Y spectral class. The spectra of at least two of the other brown dwarfs exhibit absorption on the blue wing of the H-band peak that we tentatively ascribe to NH_3. These spectral morphological changes provide a clear transition between the T dwarfs and the Y dwarfs. In order to produce a smooth near-infrared spectral sequence across the T/Y dwarf transition, we have reclassified UGPS J0722-0540 as the T9 spectral standard and tentatively assign WISEP J173835.52+273258.9 as the Y0 spectral standard. In total, six of the seven new brown dwarfs are classified as Y dwarfs: four are classified as Y0, one is classified as Y0 (pec?), and WISEP J1828+2650 is classified as >Y0. We have also compared the spectra to the model atmospheres of Marley and Saumon and infer that the brown dwarfs have effective temperatures ranging from 300 K to 500 K, making them the coldest spectroscopically confirmed brown dwarfs known to date.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Discovery of Y Dwarfs Using Data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) 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 The Discovery of Y Dwarfs Using Data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Discovery of Y Dwarfs Using Data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-67823