Bibcode
Goldman, B.; Bouy, H.; Zapatero Osorio, M. R.; Stumpf, M. B.; Brandner, W.; Henning, T.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 490, Issue 2, 2008, pp.763-768
Advertised on:
11
2008
Journal
Citations
16
Refereed citations
15
Description
Context: Current atmospheric models cannot reproduce some of the
characteristics of the transition between the L dwarfs with cloudy
atmospheres and the T dwarfs with dust-depleted photospheres. It has
been proposed that a majority of the L/T transition brown dwarfs could
actually be a combinaison of a cloudy L dwarf and a clear T dwarf.
Indeed binarity seems to occur more frequently among L/T transition
brown dwarfs. Aims: We aim to refine the statistical
significance of the seemingly higher frequency of binaries. Co-eval
binaries would also be interesting test-beds for evolutionary models.
Methods: We obtained high-resolution imaging for six mid-L to
late-T dwarfs, with photometric distances between 8 and 33 pc, using the
adaptive optics systems NACO at the VLT, and the Lick system, both with
the Laser Guide Star. Results: We resolve none of our targets.
Combining our data with published results, we obtain a frequency of
resolved L/T transition brown dwarfs of 31^+21-15%, compared
to 21^+10-7% and 14^+14-7% for mid-L and T dwarfs
(90% of confidence level). These fractions do not significantly support,
nor contradict, the hypothesis of a larger binary fraction in the L/T
transition. None of our targets has companions with effective
temperatures as low as 360-1000 K at separations larger than 0farcs5.
Based on observations collected at the European Observatory, Paranal,
Chile, under programmes 78.C-0754 and 79.C-0635.