A YOUNG PLANETARY-MASS OBJECT IN THE {rho} OPH CLOUD CORE
- Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, California Institute of Technology 100-22, Pasadena, CA 91125 (United States)
We report the discovery of a young planetary-mass brown dwarf in the {rho} Oph cloud core. The object was identified as such with the aid of a 1.5-2.4 {mu}m low-resolution spectrum obtained using the NIRC instrument on the Keck I telescope. Based on the COND model, the observed spectrum is consistent with a reddened (A{sub V} {approx} 15-16) brown dwarf whose effective temperature is in the range 1200-1800 K. For an assumed age of 1 Myr, comparison with isochrones further constrains the temperature to {approx}1400 K and suggests a mass of {approx}2-3 Jupiter masses. The inferred temperature is suggestive of an early T spectral type, which is supported by spectral morphology consistent with weak methane absorption. Based on its inferred distance ({approx}100 pc) and the presence of overlying visual absorption, it is very likely to be a {rho} Oph cluster member. In addition, given the estimated spectral type, it may be the youngest and least massive T dwarf found so far. Its existence suggests that the initial mass function for the {rho} Oph star-forming region extends well into the planetary-mass regime.
- OSTI ID:
- 21301348
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal Letters, Vol. 709, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/709/2/L158; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 2041-8205
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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