Bibcode
Bouy, H.; Martín, E. L.; Brandner, W.; Zapatero-Osorio, M. R.; Béjar, V. J. S.; Schirmer, M.; Huélamo, N.; Ghez, A. M.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 451, Issue 1, May III 2006, pp.177-186
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5
2006
Journal
Citations
50
Refereed citations
48
Description
Aims.Properties of multiplicity, such as the multiplicity frequency, the
distribution of mass ratios and periods, provide important informations
on the formation processes at work. Studying these properties in
different environments and at different ages allows us to constrain the
models of formation and to understand the influence of the environment
on the star formation. Methods: .We report the initial results of
a VLT/NACO high spatial resolution imaging survey for multiple systems
among 58 M-type members of the nearby Upper Scorpius OB association. Results: .Nine pairs with separations below 1´´ have been
resolved. Their small angular separations and the similarity in the
brightness of the components (ΔMag{K}<1 for all of them),
indicate there is a reasonable likelihood that several of them are true
binaries rather than chance projections. Follow-up imaging observations
with WHT/LIRIS of the two widest binaries confirm that their
near-infrared colours are consistent with physical very low-mass
binaries. For one of these two binaries, WHT/LIRIS spectra of each
component were obtained. We find that the two components have similar
M6-M7 spectral types and signatures of low-gravity, as expected for a
young brown dwarf binary in this association. Conclusions: .Our
preliminary results indicate a possible population of very low-mass
binaries with semimajor axis in the range 100-150 AU, which has not been
seen in the Pleiades open cluster. If these candidates are confirmed
(one is confirmed by this work), these results would indicate that the
binary properties of very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs may depend on
the environment where they form.