Formation Of Brown Dwarfs Research Articles

Tidal effects on brown dwarfs: application to the eclipsing binary 2MASS J05352184-0546085

<i>Context. <i/>2MASS J05352184-0546085 (2M0535-05) is the only known eclipsing brown dwarf (BD) binary, and so may serve as a benchmark for models of BD formation and evolution. However, theoretical predictions of the system's properties seem inconsistent with observations: i) the more massive (primary) component is observed to be cooler than the less massive (secondary) one; ii) the secondary is more luminous (by <i>≈<i/>10<sup>24<sup/> W) than expected. Previous explanations for the temperature reversal have invoked reduced convective efficiency in the structure of the primary, connected to magnetic activity and to surface spots, but these explanations cannot account for the enhanced luminosity of the secondary. Previous studies also considered the possibility that the secondary is younger than the primary.<i>Aims. <i/>We study the impact of tidal heating to the energy budget of both components to determine if it can account for the observed temperature reversal and the high luminosity of the secondary. We also compare various plausible tidal models to determine a range of predicted properties.<i>Methods. <i/>We apply two versions of two different, well-known models for tidal interaction, respectively: i) the “constant-phase-lag” model; and ii) the “constant-time-lag” model and incorporate the predicted tidal heating into a model of BD structure. The four models differ in their assumptions about the rotational behavior of the bodies, the system's eccentricity and putative misalignments <i>ψ<i/> between the bodies' equatorial planes and the orbital plane of the system.<i>Results. <i/> The contribution of heat from tides in 2M0535-05 alone may only be large enough to account for the discrepancies between observation and theory in an unlikely region of the parameter space. The tidal quality factor of BDs would have to be 10 and the secondary needs a spin-orbit misalignment of <i>≳<i/>. However, tidal synchronization time scales for 2M0535-05 restrict the tidal dissipation function to log() <i>≳<i/> 4.5 and rule out intense tidal heating in 2M0535-05. We provide the first constraint on <i>Q<i/> for BDs.<i>Conclusions. <i/>Tidal heating alone is unlikely to be responsible for the surprising temperature reversal within 2M0535-05. But an evolutionary embedment of tidal effects and a coupled treatment with the structural evolution of the BDs is necessary to corroborate or refute this result. The heating could have slowed down the BDs' shrinking and cooling processes after the birth of the system <i>≈<i/>1 Myr ago, leading to a feedback between tidal inflation and tidal heating. Observations of old BD binaries and measurements of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect for 2M0535-05 can provide further constraints on .

A CONSTRAINT ON BROWN DWARF FORMATION VIA EJECTION: RADIAL VARIATION OF THE STELLAR AND SUBSTELLAR MASS FUNCTION OF THE YOUNG OPEN CLUSTER IC 2391

We present the stellar and substellar mass function of the open cluster IC2391, plus its radial dependence, and use this to put constraints on the formation mechanism of brown dwarfs. Our multiband optical and infrared photometric survey with spectroscopic follow-up covers 11 square degrees, making it the largest survey of this cluster to date. We observe a radial variation in the mass function over the range 0.072 to 0.3Msol, but no significant variation in the mass function below the substellar boundary at the three cluster radius intervals analyzed. This lack of radial variation for low masses is what we would expect with the ejection scenario for brown dwarf formation, although considering that IC2391 has an age about three times older than its crossing time, we expect that brown dwarfs with a velocity greater than the escape velocity have already escaped the cluster. Alternatively, the variation in the mass function of the stellar objects could be an indication that they have undergone mass segregation via dynamical evolution. We also observe a significant variation across the cluster in the colour of the (background) field star locus in colour-magnitude diagrams and conclude that this is due to variable background extinction in the Galactic plane. From our preliminary spectroscopic follow-up to confirm brown dwarf status and cluster membership, we find that all candidates are M dwarfs (in either the field or the cluster), demonstrating the efficiency of our photometric selection method in avoiding contaminants (e.g. red giants). About half of our photometric candidates for which we have spectra are spectroscopically-confirmed as cluster members; two are new spectroscopically-confirmed brown dwarf members of IC2391.

A numerical study of brown dwarf formation via encounters of protostellar discs

The formation of brown dwarfs (BDs) due to the fragmentation of proto-stellar disks undergoing pairwise encounters was investigated. High resolution allowed the use of realistic initial disk models where both the vertical structure and the local Jeans mass were resolved. The results show that objects with masses ranging from giant planets to low mass stars can form during such encounters from initially stable disks. The parameter space of initial spin-orbit orientations and the azimuthal angles for each disk was explored. An upper limit on the initial Toomre Q value of ~2 was found for fragmentation to occur. Depending on the initial configuration, shocks, tidal-tail structures and mass inflows were responsible for the condensation of disk gas. Retrograde disks were generally more likely to fragment. When the interaction timescale was significantly shorter than the disks' dynamical timescales, the proto-stellar disks tended to be truncated without forming objects. The newly-formed objects had masses ranging from 0.9 to 127 Jupiter masses, with the majority in the BD regime. They often resided in star-BD multiples and in some cases also formed hierarchical orbiting systems. Most of them had large angular momenta and highly flattened, disk-like shapes. The objects had radii ranging from 0.1 to 10 AU. The disk gas was assumed to be locally isothermal, appropriate for the short cooling times in extended proto-stellar disks, but not for condensed objects. An additional case with explicit cooling that reduced to zero for optically thick gas was simulated to test the extremes of cooling effectiveness and it was still possible to form objects in this case. Detailed radiative transfer is expected to lengthen the internal evolution timescale for these objects, but not to alter our basic results.

Testing Models with Brown Dwarf Binaries

AbstractWe have been using Keck laser guide star adaptive optics to monitor the orbits of ultracool binaries, providing dynamical masses at lower luminosities and temperatures than previously available and enabling strong tests of theoretical models. (1) We find that model color–magnitude diagrams cannot reliably be used to infer masses as they do not accurately reproduce the colors of ultracool dwarfs of known mass. (2) Effective temperatures inferred from evolutionary model radii can be inconsistent with temperatures derived from fitting observed spectra with atmospheric models by at most 100–300 K. (3) For the single pair of field brown dwarfs with a precise mass (3%) and age determination (≈25%), the measured luminosities are ~2–3× higher than predicted by model cooling rates (masses inferred from Lbol and age are 20–30% larger than measured). Finally, as the sample of binaries with measured orbits grows, novel tests of brown dwarf formation theories are made possible (e.g., testing theoretical eccentricity distributions).

The formation of brown dwarfs

AbstractWe argue that brown dwarfs (BDs) and planemos form by the same mechanisms as low-mass hydrogen-burning stars, but that as one moves to lower and lower masses, an increasing fraction of these objects is formed by fragmentation of the outer parts (R ≳ 100 AU) of protostellar accretion discs around more massive primary protostars, which in turn formed in their own very-low-mass prestellar cores. Numerical simulations of disc fragmentation with realistic thermodynamics show that low-mass objects are readily formed by fragmentation of short-lived massive, extended protostellar accretion discs. Such objects tend subsequently to be liberated into the field at low speed, due to mutual interactions with the primary protostar. Many (~20%) are in low-mass (M1 + M2 &lt; 0.2M⊙) binary systems with semi-major axes a ~ 1 to 2 AU or ~200 AU and mass ratios q ≡ M2/M1 ≳ 0.7. Most of the brown dwarfs have sufficiently large attendant discs to sustain accretion and outflows. Most of the BDs that remain bound to the primary protostar have wide orbits (i.e., there is a BD desert), and these BDs also have a significantly higher probability of being in a BD/BD binary system than do the brown dwarfs that are liberated into the field (just as observed). In this picture, the multiplicity statistics and velocity dispersion of brown dwarfs are largely determined by the eigen evolution of a small-N system, born from a single prestellar core, rather than the larger-scale dynamics of the parent cluster. Consequently, many of the statistical properties of brown dwarfs should not differ very much from one star-formation region to another.

FIRST DIRECT SIMULATION OF BROWN DWARF FORMATION IN A COMPACT CLOUD CORE

Brown dwarf formation and star formation efficiency are studied using a nested grid simulation that covers five orders of magnitude in spatial scale (10^4 - 0.1AU). Starting with a rotating magnetized compact cloud with a mass of 0.22 M_sun, we follow the cloud evolution until the end of main accretion phase. Outflow of about 5 km/s emerges about 100 yr before the protostar formation and does not disappear until the end of the calculation. The mass accretion rate declines from 10^-6 M_sun/yr to 10^-8 - 10^-12 M_sun/yr in a short time (about 10^4 yr) after the protostar formation. This is because (1) a large fraction of mass is ejected from the host cloud by the protostellar outflow and (2) the gas escapes from the host cloud by the thermal pressure. At the end of the calculation, 74% (167 M_Jup) of the total mass (225 M_Jup) is outflowing from the protostar, in which 34% (77 M_Jup) of the total mass is ejected by the protostellar outflow with supersonic velocity and 40% (90 M_Jup) escapes with subsonic velocity. On the other hand, 20% (45 M_Jup) is converted into the protostar and 6% (13 M_Jup) remains as the circumstellar disk. Thus, the star formation efficiency is epsilon = 0.2. The resultant protostellar mass is in the mass range of brown dwarfs. Our results indicate that brown dwarfs can be formed in compact cores in the same manner as hydrogen-burning stars, and the magnetic field and protostellar outflow are essential in determining the star formation efficiency and stellar mass.

UNCOVERING THE OUTFLOW DRIVEN BY THE BROWN DWARF LS-RCrA 1: Hα AS A TRACER OF OUTFLOW ACTIVITY IN BROWN DWARFS

It is now apparent that classical T Tauri-like outflows commonly accompany the formation of young brown dwarfs (BDs). To date two optical outflows have been discovered, and results presented in this Letter increase this number to three. Using spectro-astrometry, the origin of the LS-RCrA 1 forbidden emission lines in a blueshifted outflow is confirmed. The nondetection of the redshifted component of the outflow in forbidden lines, along with evidence for some separation between low- and high-velocity outflow components, does not support the hypothesis that LS-RCrA 1 has an edge-on accretion disk. The key result of this analysis is the discovery of an outflow component to the Hα line. The Hα line profile has blueshifted and redshifted features in the wings which spectro-astrometry reveals to also originate in the outflow. The discovery that Hα emission in BDs can have a significant contribution from an outflow suggests that the use of Hα line widths as a proxy of mass accretion in BDs is not clear cut. This method assumes that any contribution to the Hα line flux from a possible outflow is negligible. Finally, the fact that the Hα line traces both lobes of the outflow while only the blueshifted lobe is seen in forbidden emission points to the presence of a dust hole in the accretion disk of LS-RCrA 1. This is commonly seen in classical T Tauri stars and is assumed to signal the onset of planet formation.

Multi-conjugate adaptive optics observations of the Orion Trapezium Cluster

We obtained very deep and high spatial resolution near-infrared images of the Orion Trapezium Cluster using the Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics Demonstrator (MAD) instrument at the VLT. The goal of these observations has been to search for objects at the very low-mass end of the IMF down to the planetary-mass regime. Three fields in the innermost dense part of the Trapezium Cluster, with a total area of 3.5 sq.arcmin have been surveyed at 1.65μm and 2.2μm. Several new candidate planetary mass objects with potential masses < 13MJup have been detected based on their photometry and on their location in the colour-magnitude diagram. The performance of the multi-conjugate adaptive optics correction is execellent over a large field-of-view of ∼ 1′. The final data has a spatial resolution of < 0.1arcsec over most of the area covered, enabling us to study the brown dwarf binary fraction, which is tightly linked to the brown dwarf formation process in dense stellar clusters. Only one brown dwarf binary was found, which is a newly detected system. Confirmation of the substellar nature of the faintest objects detected in our observations (potentially 3-10MJup), however, must await future confirmation by spectroscopic and/or photometric observations.

Chemical abundances of late-type pre-main sequence stars in the σ Orionis cluster

The young $\sigma$-Orionis cluster is an important location for understanding the formation and evolution of stars, brown dwarfs, and planetary-mass objects. Its metallicity, although being a fundamental parameter, has not been well determined yet. We present the first determination of the metallicity of nine young late-type stars in $\sigma$-Orionis. Using the optical and near-infrared broadband photometry available in the literature we derive the effective temperatures for these nine cluster stars, which lie in the interval 4300--6500 K (1--3 \Msuno). These parameters are employed to compute a grid of synthetic spectra based on the code MOOG and Kurucz model atmospheres. We employ a $\chi^2$-minimization procedure to derive the stellar surface gravity and atmospheric abundances of Al, Ca, Si, Fe, Ni and Li, using multi-object optical spectroscopy taken with WYFFOS+AF2 at at the William Herschel Telescope ($\lambda/\delta\lambda\sim7500$). The average metallicity of the $\sigma$-Orionis cluster is [Fe/H] $ = -0.02\pm0.09\pm0.13$ (random and systematic errors). The abundances of the other elements, except lithium, seem to be consistent with solar values. Lithium abundances are in agreement with the "cosmic" $^7$Li abundance, except for two stars which show a $\log \epsilon(\mathrm{Li})$ in the range 3.6--3.7 (although almost consistent within the error bars). There are also other two stars with $\log \epsilon(\mathrm{Li})\sim 2.75$. We derived an average radial velocity of the $\sigma$-Orionis cluster of $28\pm4$km/s. The $\sigma$-Orionis metallicity is roughly solar.

Gravitational fragmentation and the formation of brown dwarfs in stellar clusters

We investigate the formation of brown dwarfs and very low mass stars through the gravitational fragmentation of infalling gas into stellar clusters. The gravitational potential of a forming stellar cluster provides the focus that attracts gas from the surrounding molecular cloud. Structures present in the gas grow, forming filaments flowing into the cluster centre. These filaments attain high gas densities due to the combination of the cluster potential and local self-gravity. The resultant Jeans masses are low, allowing the formation of very low mass fragments. The tidal shear and high-velocity dispersion present in the cluster preclude any subsequent accretion, thus resulting in the formation of brown dwarfs or very low mass stars. Ejections are not required as the brown dwarfs enter the cluster with high relative velocities, suggesting that their disc and binary properties should be similar to that of low-mass stars. This mechanism requires the presence of a strong gravitational potential due to the stellar cluster implying that brown-dwarf formation should be more frequent in stellar clusters than in distributed populations of young stars. Brown dwarfs formed in isolation would require another formation mechanism such as due to turbulent fragmentation.

Analytical Theory for the Initial Mass Function: CO Clumps and Prestellar Cores

We derive an analytical theory of the prestellar core initial mass function (IMF) based on an extension of the Press-Schechter statistical formalism. Our approach relies on the general concept of the gravothermal and gravoturbulent collapse of a molecular cloud, with a selection criterion based on the thermal or turbulent Jeans mass, which yields the derivation of the mass spectrum of self-gravitating objects in a quiescent or a turbulent environment. The same formalism also yields the mass spectrum of non-self-gravitating clumps produced in supersonic flows. The mass spectrum of the self-gravitating cores reproduces well the observed IMF. The theory predicts that the shape of the IMF results from two competing contributions, namely, a power law at large scales and an exponential cutoff (lognormal form) centered around the characteristic mass for gravitational collapse. The cutoff exists both in the case of thermal or turbulent collapse, provided that the underlying density field has a lognormal distribution. Whereas pure thermal collapse produces a power-law tail steeper than the Salpeter value, -->dN/dlog M M−x with -->x 1.35, the latter is recovered exactly for the (three-dimensional) value of the spectral index of the velocity power spectrum, -->n 3.8, found in observations and in numerical simulations of isothermal supersonic turbulence. Indeed, the theory predicts that -->x = (n + 1)/(2n − 4) for self-gravitating structures and -->x = 2 − n'/3 for non-self-gravitating structures, where -->n' is the power spectrum index of -->log ρ . We show that, whereas supersonic turbulence promotes the formation of both massive stars and brown dwarfs, it has an overall negative impact on star formation, decreasing the star formation efficiency. This theory provides a novel theoretical foundation to understand the origin of the IMF and provides useful guidance to numerical simulations exploring star formation, while making testable predictions.

A Discontinuity in the Low‐Mass Initial Mass Function

The origin of brown dwarfs (BDs) is still an unsolved mystery. While the standard model describes the formation of BDs and stars in a similar way recent data on the multiplicity properties of stars and BDs show them to have different binary distribution functions. Here we show that proper treatment of these uncovers a discontinuity of the multiplicity-corrected mass distribution in the very-low-mass star (VLMS) and BD mass regime. A continuous IMF can be discarded with extremely high confidence. This suggests that VLMSs and BDs on the one hand, and stars on the other, are two correlated but disjoint populations with different dynamical histories. The analysis presented here suggests that about one BD forms per five stars and that the BD-star binary fraction is about 2%-3% among stellar systems.

Stars and brown dwarfs in theσOrionis cluster: the Mayrit catalogue

Context. The young σ Orionis cluster is an indispensable basis for understanding the formation and evolution of stars, brown dwarfs, and planetary-mass objects. Our knowledge of its stellar population is, however, incomplete. Aims. I present the Mayrit catalogue, which comprises most of the stars and high-mass brown dwarfs in the cluster. Methods. The basis of this work is an optical-near infrared correlation between the 2MASS and DENIS catalogues in a circular area of radius 30 arcmin centred on the OB-type binary σ Ori AB. The analysis is supported by a bibliographic search of confirmed cluster members with features of youth and by additional X-ray, mid-infrared, and astrometric data. Results. I list 241 σ Orionis stars and brown dwarfs with known features of youth, 97 candidate cluster members (40 are new), and 115 back- and foreground sources in the survey area. The 338 cluster members and member candidates constitute the Mayrit catalogue. Conclusions. This catalogue is a suitable input for studying the spatial ditribution, multiplicity, properties and frequency of discs, and the complete mass function of σ Orionis.

Brown dwarf formation by gravitational fragmentation of massive, extended protostellar discs

Abstract We suggest that low-mass hydrogen-burning stars like the Sun should sometimes form with massive extended discs, and we show, by means of radiation hydrodynamic simulations, that the outer parts of such discs (R≳ 100 au) are likely to fragment on a dynamical time-scale (103 to 104 yr), forming low-mass companions: principally brown dwarfs (BDs), but also very low-mass hydrogen-burning stars and planetary-mass objects. A few of the BDs formed in this way remain attached to the primary star, orbiting at large radii. The majority are released into the field by interactions amongst themselves; in so doing they acquire only a low velocity dispersion (≲2 km s−1), and therefore they usually retain small discs, capable of registering an infrared excess and sustaining accretion. Some BDs form close BD/BD binaries, and these binaries can survive ejection into the field. This BD formation mechanism appears to avoid some of the problems associated with the ‘embryo ejection’ scenario, and to answer some of the questions not yet answered by the ‘turbulent fragmentation’ scenario.

A Surprising Reversal of Temperatures in the Brown Dwarf Eclipsing Binary 2MASS J05352184−0546085

The newly discovered brown-dwarf eclipsing binary 2MASS J05352184-0546085 provides a unique laboratory for testing the predictions of theoretical models of brown-dwarf formation and evolution. The finding that the lower-mass brown dwarf in this system is hotter than its higher-mass companion represents a challenge to brown-dwarf evolutionary models, none of which predict this behavior. Here we present updated determinations of the basic physical properties of 2M0535-05, bolstering the surprising reversal of temperatures with mass in this system. We compare these measurements with widely used brown-dwarf evolutionary tracks, and find that the temperature reversal can be explained by some models if the components of 2M0535-05 are mildly non-coeval, possibly consistent with dynamical simulations of brown-dwarf formation. Alternatively, a strong magnetic field on the higher-mass brown dwarf might explain its anomalously low surface temperature, consistent with emerging evidence that convection is suppressed in magnetically active, low-mass stars. Finally, we discuss future observational and theoretical work needed to further characterize and understand this benchmark system.

The spatial distribution of substellar objects in IC 348 and the Orion Trapezium cluster

Aims: Some theoretical scenarios suggest the formation of brown dwarfs as ejected stellar embryos in star-forming clusters. Such a formation mechanism can result in different spatial distributions of stars and substellar objects. We aim to investigate the spatial structure of stellar and substellar objects in two well sampled and nearby embedded clusters, namely IC348 and the Orion Trapezium Cluster (OTC) to test this hypothesis. Methods:Deep near-infrared K-band data complete enough to sample the substellar population in IC348 and OTC are obtained from the literature. The spatial distribution of the K-band point sources is analysed using the Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) method. The Q parameter and the spanning trees are evaluated for stellar and substellar objects as a function of cluster core radius R$_c$. Results: The stellar population in both IC348 and OTC display a clustered distribution whereas the substellar population is distributed homogeneously in space within twice the cluster core radius. Although the substellar objects do not appear to be bound by the cluster potential well, they are still within the limits of the cluster and not significantly displaced from their birth sites. Conclusions: The spatially homogeneous distribution of substellar objects is best explained by assuming higher initial velocities, distributed in a random manner and going through multiple interactions. The overall spatial coincidence of these objects with the cluster locations can be understood if these objects are nevertheless travelling slowly enough so as to feel the gravitational effect of the cluster. The observations support the formation of substellar objects as ``ejected stellar embryos''. Higher ejection velocities are necessary but net spatial displacements may not be necessary to explain the observational data.

Southern Very Low Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs in Wide Binary and Multiple Systems

The results of the Königstuhl survey in the Southern Hemisphere are presented. I have searched for common proper motion companions to 173 field very low mass stars and brown dwarfs with spectral types >M5.0 V and magnitudes J ≲ 14.5 mag. I have measured for the first time the common proper motion of two new wide systems containing very low mass components, Königstuhl 2 AB and 3 A-BC. Together with Königstuhl 1 AB and 2M 0126-50 AB, they are among the widest systems in their respective classes (r = 450-11,900 AU). I have determined the minimum frequency of field wide multiples (r > 100 AU) with late-type components at 5.0% ± 1.8% and the frequency of field wide late-type binaries with mass ratios q > 0.5 at 1.2% ± 0.9%. These values represent a key diagnostic of evolution history and low-mass star and brown dwarf formation scenarios. In addition, the proper motions of 62 field very low mass dwarfs are measured here for the first time.

Brown dwarf formation by binary disruption

Context.The principal mechanism by which brown dwarfs form, and its relation to the formation of higher-mass (i.e. hydrogen-burning) stars, is poorly understood. Aims.We advocate a new model for the formation of brown dwarfs. Methods.In this model, brown dwarfs are initially binary companions, formed by gravitational fragmentation of the outer parts ( $R\ga 100\,{\rm AU}$) of protostellar discs around low-mass hydrogen-burning stars. Most of these binaries are then gently disrupted by passing stars to create a largely single population of brown dwarfs and low-mass hydrogen-burning stars. Results.This idea is consistent with the excess of binaries found in low-density pre-main sequence populations, like that in Taurus, where they should survive longer than in denser clusters. Conclusions.If brown dwarfs form in this way, as companions to more massive stars, the difficulty of forming very low-mass prestellar cores is avoided. Since the disrupted binaries will tend to be those involving low-mass components and wide orbits, and since disruption will be due to the gentle tides of passing stars (rather than violent N-body interactions in small-N sub-clusters), the liberated brown dwarfs will have velocity dispersions and spatial distributions very similar to higher-mass stars, and they will be able to retain discs, and thereby to sustain accretion and outflows. Thus the problems associated with the ejection and turbulence mechanisms can be avoided. This model implies that most, possibly all, stars and brown dwarfs form in binary or multiple systems.

New Very Low Mass Binaries in the Taurus Star‐forming Region

We surveyed thirteen very low mass (VLM; M < 0.2 M_sun) objects in the Taurus star-forming region using near-infrared diffraction-limited imaging techniques on the W.M. Keck I 10 m telescope. Of these thirteen, five were found to be binary, with separations ranging from 0.04" to 0.6" and flux ratios from 1.4 to 3.7. In all cases, the companions are likely to be physically associated with the primaries (probability > 4-sigma). Using the theoretical models of Baraffe et al. (1998), we find that all five new companions, as well as one of the primaries, are likely brown dwarfs. The discovery of these systems therefore increases the total number of known, young VLM binaries by ~50%. These new systems, along with other young VLM binaries from the literature, have properties that differ significantly from older field VLM binaries in that the young systems have wider separations and lower mass ratios, supporting the idea that VLM binaries undergo significant dynamical evolution ~5 - 10 Myr after their formation. The range of separations of these binaries, four of which are over 30 AU, argues against the ejection scenario of brown dwarf formation. While several of the young, VLM binaries discovered in this study have lower binding energies than the previously suggested minimum for VLM binaries, the apparent minimum is still significantly higher than that found among higher mass binaries. We suggest that this discrepancy may be due to the small mass of a VLM binary relative to the average perturbing star, leading to more substantial changes in their binding energy over time.

Globulettes as Seeds of Brown Dwarfs and Free-Floating Planetary-Mass Objects

Some H II regions surrounding young stellar clusters contain tiny dusty clouds, which on photos look like dark spots or teardrops against a background of nebular emission. From our collection of H? images of 10 H II regions gathered at the Nordic Optical Telescope, we found 173 such clouds, which we call globulettes, since they are much smaller than normal globules and form a distinct class of objects. Many globulettes are quite isolated and located far from the molecular shells and elephant trunks associated with the regions. Others are attached to the trunks (or shells), suggesting that globulettes may form as a consequence of erosion of these larger structures. None of our objects appear to contain stellar objects. The globulettes were measured for position, dimension, and orientation, and we find that most objects are smaller than 10 kAU. The Rosette Nebula and IC 1805 are particularly rich in globulettes, for which the size distributions peak at mean radii of ~2.5 kAU, similar to what was found by Reipurth and coworkers and De Marco and coworkers for similar objects in other regions. We estimate total mass and density distributions for each object from extinction measures and conclude that a majority contain <13 MJ, corresponding to planetary-mass objects. We then estimate the internal thermal and potential energies and find, when also including the effects from the outer pressure, that a large fraction of the globulettes could be unstable and would contract on short timescales, <10 6 yr. In addition, the radiation pressure and ram pressure exerted on the side facing the clusters would stimulate contraction. Since the globulettes are not screened from stellar light by dust clouds farther in, one would expect photoevaporation to dissolve the objects. However, surprisingly few objects show bright rims or teardrop forms. We calculate the expected lifetimes against photoevaporation. These lifetimes scatter around 4 ? 106 yr, much longer than estimated in previous studies and also much longer than the free-fall time. We conclude that a large number of our globulettes have time to form central low-mass objects long before the ionization front, driven by the impinging Lyman photons, has penetrated far into the globulette. Hence, the globulettes may be one source in the formation of brown dwarfs and free-floating planetary-mass objects in the galaxy.