A young binary brown dwarf in the R-CrA star formation region

Bouy, H.; Brandner, W.; Martín, E. L.; Delfosse, X.; Allard, F.; Baraffe, I.; Forveille, T.; Demarco, R.
Bibliographical reference

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.424, p.213-226 (2004)

Advertised on:
9
2004
Number of authors
8
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
30
Refereed citations
26
Description
We present imaging and spectroscopic observations with HST (WFPC2, ACS/HRC and STIS), VLT (FORS2) and Keck (HIRES) of the dM 8 ultra-cool dwarf DENIS-P J185950.9-370632, located in the R-CrA region. The presence of lithium absorption at 670.8 nm and the strong Hα emission indicate a young age and a sub-stellar mass. Our diffraction-limited images resolve a companion at the separation limit of HST/ACS (˜0.06 arcsec). The 2.1 mJy flux in the LW2 filter (5.0-8.5 μm) of the Infrared Space Observatory citep{1999A&A...350..883} likely corresponds to an infrared excess, suggesting the presence of circumstellar material. Proper motion and photometric measurements, as well as the Hα activity, confirm membership in the R-CrA star forming region. If confirmed by further observations, DENIS-P J185950.9-370632 would be the first accreting sub-stellar multiple system observed to date.