late-T Dwarfs Research Articles

Optical properties of Y dwarfs observed with the Gran Telescopio Canarias

Our science goals are to characterise the optical properties of Y dwarfs and to study their consistency with theoretical models. A sample of five Y dwarfs was observed with three optical and near-infrared instruments at the 10.4\,m Gran Telescopio Canarias. Deep near-infrared ($J$- or $H$-band) and multicolour optical images ($z$-, $i$-, $r$-, $g$-, $u$-bands) of the five targets and a low-resolution far-red optical spectrum for one of the targets were obtained. One of the Y dwarfs, WISE J173835.53+273258.9 (Y0), was clearly detected in the optical ($z$- and $i$-bands) and another, WISE J182831.08+265037.7 (Y2), was detected only in the $z$-band. We measured the colours of our targets and found that the $z-J$ and $i-z$ colours of the Y dwarfs are bluer than those of mid- and late-T dwarfs. This optical blueing has been predicted by models, but our data indicates that it is sharper and happens at temperatures about 150 K warmer than expected. The culprit is the K I resonance doublet, which weakens more abruptly in the T- to Y-type transition than expected. Moreover, we show that the alkali resonance lines (Cs I and K I) are weaker in Y dwarfs than in T dwarfs; the far-red optical spectrum of WISE J173835.53+273258.9 is similar to that of late-T dwarfs, but with stronger methane and water features; and we noted the appearance of new absorption features that we propose could be due to hydrogen sulphide. Last but not least, in 2014, WISE J173835.53+273258.9 presented a bluer $i-z$ colour than in 2021 by a factor of 2.8 (significance of 2.5sigma ). Thanks to our deep optical images, we found that the 2014 $i$-band spectrum was contaminated by a galaxy bluer than the Y dwarf. The optical properties of Y dwarfs presented here pose new challenges to the modelling of grain sedimentation in extremely cool objects. The weakening of the very broad K I resonance doublet due to condensation in dust grains is more abrupt than theoretically anticipated. Consequently, the observed blueing of the $z-J$ and $i-z$ colours of Y dwarfs with respect to T dwarfs is more pronounced than predicted by models and could boost the potential of upcoming deep large-area optical surveys regarding their ability to detect extremely cool objects.

The Carbon-to-oxygen Ratio in Cool Brown Dwarfs and Giant Exoplanets. I. The Benchmark Late-T Dwarfs GJ 570D, HD 3651B, and Ross 458C

Measurements of the C/O ratio in brown dwarfs are lacking, in part due to past models adopting solar C/O only. We have expanded the ATMO 2020 atmosphere model grid to include nonsolar metallicities and C/O ratios in the T dwarf regime. We change the C/O ratio by altering either the carbon or oxygen elemental abundances, and we find that nonsolar abundances of these elements can be distinguished based on the shapes of the H and K bands. We compare these new models with medium-resolution (R ≈ 1700), near-infrared (0.8–2.4 μm) Gemini Near-Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS) spectra of three benchmark late-T dwarfs, GJ 570D, HD 3651B, and Ross 458C. We find solar C/O ratios and best-fitting parameters (T eff, log(g) , Z) broadly consistent with other analyses in the literature based on low-resolution (R ∼ 100) data. The model-data discrepancies in the near-infrared spectra are consistent across all three objects. These discrepancies are alleviated when fitting the Y, J, H, and K bands individually, but the resulting best-fit parameters are inconsistent and disagree with the results from the full spectrum. By examining the model atmosphere properties we find this is due to the interplay of gravity and metallicity on H2–H2 collisionally induced absorption. We therefore conclude that there are no significant issues with the molecular opacity tables used in the models at this spectral resolution. Instead, deficiencies are more likely to lie in the model assumptions regarding the thermal structures. Finally, we find a discrepancy between the GNIRS, SpeX, and other near-infrared spectra in the literature of Ross 458C, indicating potential spectroscopic variability.

Informed Systematic Method to Identify Variable Mid- and Late-T Dwarfs

The majority of brown dwarfs show some level of photometric or spectrophotometric variability in different wavelength ranges. This variability allow us to trace the 3D atmospheric structures of variable brown dwarfs and directly-imaged exoplanets with radiative-transfer models and mapping codes. Nevertheless, to date, we do not have an informed method to preselect the brown dwarfs that might show a higher variability amplitude for a thorough variability study. In this work, we designed and tested near-infrared spectral indices to preselect the most likely variable mid- and late-T dwarfs, which overlap in effective temperatures with directly-imaged exoplanets. We used time-resolved near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 spectra of a T6.5 dwarf, 2MASS J22282889–431026, to design our novel spectral indices. We tested these spectral indices on 26 T5.5–T7.5 near-infrared SpeX/IRTF spectra, and we provided eight new mid- and late-T variable candidates. We estimated the variability fraction of our sample as %, which agrees with the variability fractions provided by Metchev for mid- to late-T dwarfs. In addition, two of the three previously known variables in our sample of SpeX spectra are flagged as variable candidates by our indices. Similarly, all seven known nonvariables in our sample are flagged as nonvariable objects by our indices. These results suggest that our spectral indices might be used to find variable mid- and late-T brown dwarf variables. These indices may be crucial in the future to select cool directly-imaged exoplanets for variability studies.

Ammonia-methane ratios from H-band near-infrared spectra of late-T and Y dwarfs

Aims. Our goals are to investigate the relative absorption strengths of ammonia and methane using low-resolution H-band (1.5−1.7 microns) spectra obtained in the laboratory and compared with observational spectra of late-T and Y dwarfs, and to estimate what can be expected from the wide-angle low-resolution near-infrared spectroscopic survey that will be provided by the upcoming Euclid space mission. Methods. Gas cells containing ammonia and methane at atmospheric pressure were custom-made in our chemical laboratory. Low-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy of these gas cells was collected in our optical laboratory. It is compared with simulated spectra using the high-resolution transmission molecular absorption database (HITRAN) for temperatures of 300 K and 500 K, and with near-infrared spectra of late-T dwarfs, Y dwarfs, Jupiter, and Saturn. We selected for this investigation the spectral region between 1.5 and 1.7 microns (H band) because it is covered by the Euclid red grism, it is particularly sensitive to the relative proportions of ammonia and methane opacity, and it is free from strong contributions of other abundant molecules, such as water vapor. Results. The laboratory spectra showed that the ammonia and methane features present in the simulations that used the HITRAN database are incomplete. Using our laboratory spectra, we propose a modified version of the NH3-H spectral ratio with expanded integration limits that increases the amplitude of variation in the index with respect to spectral type. Combinations of our laboratory spectra were used to find the best fits to the observed spectra with the relative absorption ratio of ammonia to methane as a free parameter. A relationship was found between the Teff and the ratio of ammonia to methane from spectral classes T5 to Y2 (1100 K–350 K), in fairly good qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions for high-gravity objects and temperatures from 1100 K to 500 K. The ammonia-to-methane ratios in late-T and Y dwarfs are similar to that of Jupiter, suggesting a similar chemical composition. Simulations of the spectroscopic performance of Euclid suggest that it will yield Teff values and ratios of ammonia to methane for over 103 late-T dwarfs in the entire wide survey.

Uniform Forward-modeling Analysis of Ultracool Dwarfs. II. Atmospheric Properties of 55 Late-T Dwarfs

Abstract We present a large uniform forward-modeling analysis for 55 late-T (T7–T9) dwarfs, using low-resolution (R ≈ 50–250) near-infrared (1.0–2.5 μm) spectra and cloudless Sonora–Bobcat model atmospheres. We derive the objects’ effective temperatures, surface gravities, metallicities, radii, masses, and bolometric luminosities using our newly developed Bayesian framework, and use the resulting population properties to test the model atmospheres. We find (1) our objects’ fitted metallicities are 0.3–0.4 dex lower than those of nearby stars; (2) their ages derived from spectroscopic parameters are implausibly young (10 Myr–0.4 Gyr); (3) their fitted effective temperatures show a similar spread to empirical temperature scales at a given spectral type but are ∼50–200 K hotter for ≥T8 dwarfs; and (4) their spectroscopically inferred masses are unphysically small (mostly 1–8 M Jup). These suggest the Sonora–Bobcat assumptions of cloudless and chemical-equilibrium atmospheres do not adequately reproduce late-T dwarf spectra. We also find a gravity and metallicity dependence of effective temperature as a function of spectral type. Combining the resulting parameter posteriors of our sample, we quantify the degeneracy between the fitted surface gravity and metallicity such that an increase in Z combined with a 3.4× increase in logg results in a spectrum that has similar fitted parameters. We note the systematic difference between the late-T dwarf spectra and Sonora–Bobcat models is on average ≈2%–4% of the objects’ peak J-band fluxes over the 1.0–2.5 μm range, implying modeling systematics will exceed measurement uncertainties when analyzing data with J-band S/N ≳ 50. Using our large, high-quality sample, we examine the spectral-fitting residuals as a function of wavelength and atmospheric properties to discern how to improve the model assumptions. Our work constitutes the largest analysis of brown dwarf spectra using multimetallicity models and the most systematic examination of ultracool model atmospheres to date.

Uniform Forward-modeling Analysis of Ultracool Dwarfs. I. Methodology and Benchmarking

Abstract We present a forward-modeling framework using the Bayesian inference tool Starfish and cloudless Sonora-Bobcat model atmospheres to analyze low-resolution (R ≈ 80–250) near-infrared (1.0–2.5 μm) spectra of T dwarfs. Our approach infers effective temperatures, surface gravities, metallicities, radii, and masses, and by accounting for uncertainties from model interpolation and correlated residuals due to instrumental effects and modeling systematics, produces more realistic parameter posteriors than traditional (χ 2-based) spectral-fitting analyses. We validate our framework by fitting the model atmospheres themselves and finding negligible offsets between derived and input parameters. We apply our methodology to three well-known benchmark late-T dwarfs, HD 3651B, GJ 570D, and Ross 458C, using both solar and nonsolar metallicity atmospheric models. We also derive these benchmarks’ physical properties using their bolometric luminosities, their primary stars’ ages and metallicities, and Sonora-Bobcat evolutionary models. Assuming the evolutionary-based parameters are more robust, we find our atmospheric-based, forward-modeling analysis produces two outcomes. For HD 3615B and GJ 570D, spectral fits provide accurate T eff and R but underestimated log g (by ≈1.2 dex) and Z (by ≈0.35 dex), likely due to the systematics from modeling the potassium line profiles. For Ross 458C, spectral fits provide accurate log g and Z but overestimated T eff (by ≈120 K) and underestimated R (by ≈1.6×), likely because our model atmospheres lack clouds, reduced vertical temperature gradients, or disequilibrium processes. Finally, the spectroscopically inferred masses of these benchmarks are all considerably underestimated.

Cloud Atlas: Weak Color Modulations Due to Rotation in the Planetary-mass Companion GU Psc b and 11 Other Brown Dwarfs

Abstract Among the greatest challenges in understanding ultracool brown dwarf and exoplanet atmospheres is the evolution of cloud structure as a function of temperature and gravity. In this study, we present the rotational modulations of GU Psc b—a rare mid-T spectral type planetary-mass companion at the end of the L/T spectral type transition. Based on the Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 1.1–1.67 μm time-series spectra, we observe a quasi-sinusoidal light curve with a peak-to-trough flux variation of 2.7% and a minimum period of 8 h. The rotation-modulated spectral variations are weakly wavelength-dependent, or largely gray between 1.1 and 1.67 μm. The gray modulations indicate that heterogeneous clouds are present in the photosphere of this low-gravity mid-T dwarf. We place the color and brightness variations of GU Psc b in the context of rotational modulations reported for mid-L to late-T dwarfs. Based on these observations, we report a tentative trend: mid-to-late T dwarfs become slightly redder in J − H color with increasing J-band brightness, while L dwarfs become slightly bluer with increasing brightness. If this trend is verified with more T-dwarf samples, it suggests that in addition to the mostly gray modulations, there is a second-order spectral-type dependence on the nature of rotational modulations.

A Uniform Retrieval Analysis of Ultra-cool Dwarfs. III. Properties of Y Dwarfs

Abstract Ultra-cool brown dwarfs offer a unique window into understanding substellar atmospheric physics and chemistry. Their strong molecular absorption bands at infrared wavelengths, Jupiter-like radii, cool temperatures, and lack of complicating stellar irradiation make them ideal test beds for understanding Jovian-like atmospheres. Here, we report the findings of a uniform atmospheric retrieval analysis on a set of 14 Y- and T-type dwarfs observed with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 instrument. From our retrieval analysis, we find the temperature structures to be largely consistent with radiative-convective equilibrium in most objects. We also determine the abundances of water, methane, and ammonia, as well as upper limits on the alkali metals sodium and potassium. The constraints on water and methane are consistent with predictions from chemical equilibrium models, while those of ammonia may be affected by vertical disequilibrium mixing, consistent with previous works. Our key result stems from the constraints on the alkali metal abundances where we find their continued depletion with decreasing effective temperature, consistent with the trend identified in a previous retrieval analysis on a sample of slightly warmer late T-dwarfs in Line et al. (2017). These constraints show that the previously observed Y–J color trend across the T/Y transition is most likely due to the depletion of these metals, in accordance with predictions from equilibrium condensate rainout chemistry. Finally, we simulate future James Webb Space Telescope observations of ultra-cool dwarfs and find that the Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec) PRISM offers the best chance at developing high-precision constraints on fundamental atmospheric characteristics.

Y Dwarf Trigonometric Parallaxes from the Spitzer Space Telescope

Abstract Y dwarfs provide a unique opportunity to study free-floating objects with masses <30 M Jup and atmospheric temperatures approaching those of known Jupiter-like exoplanets. Obtaining distances to these objects is an essential step toward characterizing their absolute physical properties. Using Spitzer’s Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) [4.5] images taken over baselines of ∼2–7 years, we measure astrometric distances for 22 late-T and early Y dwarfs, including updated parallaxes for 18 objects and new parallax measurements for 4 objects. These parallaxes will make it possible to explore the physical parameter space occupied by the coldest brown dwarfs. We also present the discovery of six new late-T dwarfs, updated spectra of two T dwarfs, and the reclassification of a new Y dwarf, WISE J033605.04−014351.0, based on Keck/NIRSPEC J-band spectroscopy. Assuming that effective temperatures are inversely proportional to absolute magnitude, we examine trends in the evolution of the spectral energy distributions of brown dwarfs with decreasing effective temperature. Surprisingly, the Y dwarf class encompasses a large range in absolute magnitude in the near- to mid-infrared photometric bandpasses, demonstrating a larger range of effective temperatures than previously assumed. This sample will be ideal for obtaining mid-infrared spectra with the James Webb Space Telescope because their known distances will make it easier to measure absolute physical properties.

UNIFORM ATMOSPHERIC RETRIEVAL ANALYSIS OF ULTRACOOL DWARFS. I. CHARACTERIZING BENCHMARKS, Gl 570D AND HD 3651B

Interpreting the spectra of brown dwarfs is key to determining the fundamental physical and chemical processes occurring in their atmospheres. Powerful Bayesian atmospheric retrieval tools have recently been applied to both exoplanet and brown dwarf spectra to tease out the thermal structures and molecular abundances to understand those processes. In this manuscript we develop a significantly upgraded retrieval method and apply it to the SpeX spectral library data of two benchmark late T-dwarfs, Gl570D and HD3651B, to establish the validity of our upgraded forward model parameterization and Bayesian estimator. Our retrieved metallicities, gravities, and effective temperature are consistent with the metallicity and presumed ages of the systems. We add the carbon-to-oxygen ratio as a new dimension to benchmark systems and find good agreement between carbon-to-oxygens ratio derived in the brown dwarfs and the host stars. Furthermore, we have for the first time unambiguously determined the presence of ammonia in the low-resolution spectra of these two late T-dwarfs. We also show that the retrieved results are not significantly impacted by the possible presence of clouds, though some quantities are significantly impacted by uncertainties in photometry. This investigation represents a watershed study in establishing the utility of atmospheric retrieval approaches on brown dwarf spectra.

Methane and ammonia in the near-infrared spectra of late-T dwarfs

Analysis of T dwarfs using model atmospheres has been hampered by the absence of reliable line lists for methane and ammonia. Newly computed high-temperature line lists for both of these important molecules are now available, so it is timely to investigate the appearance of the various absorption features in T dwarfs in order to better understand their atmospheres and validate the new line lists. We present high-quality R ∼ 5000 Gemini/NIFS 1.0–2.4 μm spectra of the T8 standard 2MASS 0415−0935 and the T9 standard UGPS 0722−0540. We use these spectra to identify numerous methane and ammonia features not previously seen and we discuss the implications for our understanding of T dwarf atmospheres. Among our results, we find that ammonia is the dominant opacity source between ∼1.233–1.266 μm in UGPS 0722−0540, and we tentatively identify several absorption features in this wavelength range in the T9's spectrum which may be due entirely to ammonia opacity. Our results also suggest that water rather than methane is the dominant opacity source in the red half of the J band of the T8 dwarf. Water appears to be the main absorber in this wavelength region in the T9 dwarf until ∼1.31 μm, when methane starts to dominate.

The brown dwarf atmosphere monitoring (BAM) project – II. Multi-epoch monitoring of extremely cool brown dwarfs

With the discovery of Y dwarfs by the WISE mission, the population of field brown dwarfs now extends to objects with temperatures comparable to those of Solar System planets. To investigate the atmospheres of these newly identified brown dwarfs, we have conducted a pilot study monitoring an initial sample of three late T-dwarfs (T6.5, T8 and T8.5) and one Y-dwarf (Y0) for infrared photometric variability at multiple epochs. With J-band imaging, each target was observed for a period of 1.0h to 4.5h per epoch, which covers a significant fraction of the expected rotational period. These measurements represent the first photometric monitoring for these targets. For three of the four targets (2M1047, Ross 458C and WISE0458), multi-epoch monitoring was performed, with the time span between epochs ranging from a few hours to ~2 years. During the first epoch, the T8.5 target WISE0458 exhibited variations with a remarkable min-to-max amplitude of 13%, while the second epoch light curve taken ~2 years later did not note any variability to a 3% upper limit. With an effective temperature of ~600 K, WISE0458 is the coldest variable brown dwarf published to-date, and combined with its high and variable amplitude makes it a fascinating target for detailed follow-up. The three remaining targets showed no significant variations, with a photometric precision between 0.8% and 20.0%, depending on the target brightness. Combining the new results with previous multi-epoch observations of brown dwarfs with spectral types of T5 or later, the currently identified variables have locations on the colour-colour diagram better matched by theoretical models incorporating cloud opacities rather than cloud-free atmospheres. This preliminary result requires further study to determine if there is a definitive link between variability among late-T dwarfs and their location on the colour-colour diagram.

76 T dwarfs from the UKIDSS LAS: benchmarks, kinematics and an updated space density

We report the discovery of 76 new T dwarfs from the UKIDSS Large Area Survey (LAS). Near-infrared broad and narrow-band photometry and spectroscopy are presented for the new objects, along with WISE and warm-Spitzer photometry. Proper motions for 128 UKIDSS T dwarfs are presented from a new two epoch LAS proper motion catalogue. We use these motions to identify two new benchmark systems: LHS 6176AB, a T8+M4 pair and HD118865AB, a T5.5+F8 pair. Using age constraints from the primaries and evolutionary models to constrain the radii we have estimated their physical properties from their bolometric luminosity. We compare the colours and properties of known benchmark T dwarfs to the latest model atmospheres and draw two principal conclusions. Firstly, it appears that the H - [4.5] and J - W2 colours are more sensitive to metallicity than has previously been recognised, such that differences in metallicity may dominate over differences in Teff when considering relative properties of cool objects using these colours. Secondly, the previously noted apparent dominance of young objects in the late-T dwarf sample is no longer apparent when using the new model grids and the expanded sample of late-T dwarfs and benchmarks. This is supported by the apparently similar distribution of late-T dwarfs and earlier-type T dwarfs on reduced proper motion diagrams that we present. Finally, we present updated space densities for the late-T dwarfs, and compare our values to simulation predictions and those from WISE.

Two very nearby (d ~ 5 pc) ultracool brown dwarfs detected by their large proper motions from WISE, 2MASS, and SDSS data

Aims: WISE provides an infrared all-sky survey which aims at completing our knowledge on the possibly dramatically increasing number of brown dwarfs with lower temperatures. We search for the nearest representatives of the coolest brown dwarfs, which will be very interesting for detailed follow-up observations, once they haven been discovered. Methods: We have used the preliminary data release from WISE, selected bright candidates with colours typical of late-T dwarfs, tried to match them with faint 2MASS and SDSS objects, to determine their proper motions, and to follow-up them spectroscopically. Results: We have identified two new ultracool brown dwarfs, WISE J0254+0223 and WISE J1741+2553, with large proper motions of about 2.5 and 1.5 arcsec/yr, respectively. With their w1-w2~3.0 and J-w2~4.0 colour indices we expect both to have a spectral type of ~T8-T10 and absolute magnitude of M_{w2}~14. We confirm WISE J1741+2553 as a T9-T10 dwarf from near-infrared spectroscopy with LBT/LUCIFER1. From their bright WISE w2 magnitudes of 12.7 and 12.3, we estimate distances of 5.5$^{+2.3}_{-1.6}$ pc and 4.6$^{+1.2}_{-1.0}$ pc and tangential velocities of ~65 km/s and ~34 km/s indicating Galactic thick and thin disk membership, respectively.

A new benchmark T8-9 brown dwarf and a couple of new mid-T dwarfs from the UKIDSS DR5+ LAS★

Benchmark brown dwarfs are those objects for which fiducial constraints are available, including effective temperature, parallax, age, metallicity. We searched for new cool brown dwarfs in 186 sq.deg. of the new area covered by the data release DR5+ of the UKIDSS Large Area Survey. Follow-up optical and near-infrared broad-band photometry, and methane imaging of four promising candidates, revealed three objects with distinct methane absorption, typical of mid- to late-T dwarfs, and one possibly T4 dwarf. The latest-type object, classified as T8-9, shares its large proper motion with Ross 458 (BD+13o2618), an active M0.5 binary which is 102" away, forming a hierarchical low-mass star+brown dwarf system. Ross 458C has an absolute J-band magnitude of 16.4, and seems overluminous, particularly in the K band, compared to similar field brown dwarfs. We estimate the age of the system to be less than 1 Gyr, and its mass to be as low as 14 Jupiter masses for the age of 1 Gyr. At 11.4 pc, this new late T benchmark dwarf is a promising target to constrain the evolutionary and atmospheric models of very low-mass brown dwarfs. We present proper motion measurements for our targets and for 13 known brown dwarfs. Two brown dwarfs have velocities typical of the thick disk and may be old brown dwarfs.

Identifying nearby field T dwarfs in the UKIDSS Galactic Clusters Survey

We present the discovery of two new late-T dwarfs identified in the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) Galactic Clusters Survey (GCS) Data Release 2 (DR2). These T dwarfs are nearby old T dwarfs along the line of sight to star-forming regions and open clusters targeted by the UKIDSS GCS. They are found towards the Alpha Per cluster and Orion complex, respectively, from a search in 54 square degrees surveyed in five filters. Photometric candidates were picked up in two-colour diagrams, in a very similar manner to candidates extracted from the UKIDSS Large Area Survey (LAS) but taking advantage of the Z filter employed by the GCS. Both candidates exhibit near-infrared J-band spectra with strong methane and water absorption bands characteristic of late-T dwarfs. We derive spectral types of T6.5+/-0.5 and T7+/-1 and estimate photometric distances less than 50 pc for UGCS J030013.86+490142.5 and UGCS J053022.52-052447.4, respectively. The space density of T dwarfs found in the GCS seems consistent with discoveries in the larger areal coverage of the UKIDSS Large Area Survey, indicating one T dwarf in 6-11 square degrees. The final area surveyed by the GCS, 1000 square degrees in five passbands, will allow expansion of the LAS search area by 25%, increase the probability of finding ultracool brown dwarfs, and provide optimal estimates of contamination by old field brown dwarfs in deep surveys to identify such objects in open clusters and star-forming regions.

Ak-NN METHOD TO CLASSIFY RARE ASTRONOMICAL SOURCES: PHOTOMETRIC SEARCH OF BROWN DWARFS WITHSPITZER/IRAC

We present a statistical method for the photometric search of rare astronomical sources based on the weighted k-NN method. A metric is defined in a multi-dimensional color-magnitude space based only on the photometric properties of template sources and the photometric uncertainties of both templates and data, without the need to define ad-hoc color and magnitude cuts which could bias the search. The metric is defined as a function of two parameters, the number of neighbors k and a threshold distance D_th that can be optimized for maximum selection efficiency and completeness. We apply the method to the search of L and T dwarfs in the Spitzer Extragalactic First Look Survey and the Bootes field of the Spitzer Shallow Survey, as well as to the search of sub-stellar mass companions around nearby stars. With high level of completeness, we confirm the absence of late-T dwarfs detected in at least two bands in the First Look Survey, and only one in the Shallow Survey (previously discovered by Stern et al. 2007). This result is in agreement with the expected statistics for late-T dwarfs. One L/early-T candidate is found in the First Look Survey, and 3 in the Shallow Surveys, currently undergoing follow-up spectroscopic verification. Finally, we discuss the potential for brown dwarf searches with this method in the Spitzer warm mission Exploration Science programs.

Two distant brown dwarfs in the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey Deep Extragalactic Survey Data Release 2

We present the discovery of two brown dwarfs in the UK infrared Telescope (UKIRT) Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) Deep Extragalactic Survey (DXS) Data Release 2 (DR2). Both objects were selected photometrically from 6 deg2 in DXS for their blue J−K colour and the lack of optical counterparts in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Stripe 82. Additional optical photometry provided by the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey (CFHTLS) corroborated the possible substellarity of these candidates. Subsequent methane imaging of UDXS J221611.51+003308.1 and UDXS J221903.10+002418.2 has confirmed them as T7 ± 1 and T6 ± 1 dwarfs at photometric distances of 81 (52–118 pc) and 60 (44–87 pc; 2σ confidence level). A similar search in the DR2 of the Ultra-Deep Survey over a smaller area (0.77 deg2) and shallower depth did not return any late-T dwarf candidate. The numbers of late-T dwarfs in our study are broadly in line with a declining mass function when considering the current area and depth of the DXS and UDS. These brown dwarfs are the first discovered in the Visible Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph (VIMOS) 4 field and among the few T dwarfs found in pencil-beam surveys. They are valuable to investigate the scaleheight of T dwarfs.

Binarity at the L/T brown dwarf transition

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. 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. We obtained high-resolution imaging for six mid-L to late-T dwarfs, with photometric distances between 8 and 33pc, using the adaptive optics systems NACO at the VLT, and the Lick system, both with the laser guide star. 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 360-1000K at separations larger than 0.5".

3.6–7.9 μm Photometry of L and T Dwarfs and the Prevalence of Vertical Mixing in their Atmospheres

We present new L' (3.75 ?m) photometry of six L and T dwarfs, and M' (4.70 ?m) photometry of 10 L and T dwarfs, observed at the Gemini (North) Observatory, and new 3.55, 4.49, 5.73, and 7.87 ?m photometry of nine L and T dwarfs, obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The sample includes unusually blue and red dwarfs selected from our near-infrared studies. The data are combined with previously published L', M', and Spitzer photometry of L and T dwarfs, and trends of colors with spectral type and other colors are examined. Recent model atmospheres by Marley and Saumon are used to generate synthetic colors for ranges of effective temperature, gravity, grain sedimentation efficiency, metallicity, and vertical mixing efficiency. We explore how these parameters affect the mid-infrared colors of L and T dwarfs and find that the data are modeled satisfactorily only if substantial vertical mixing occurs in both L and T dwarf atmospheres. The location and range of the L and T dwarf sequences in IRAC color-color and color-magnitude diagrams is also only reproduced if this mixing occurs, with a range of efficiency described by Kzz ~ 102-106 cm2 s-1. The colors of the unusually red dwarfs are best reproduced by nonequilibrium models with low sedimentation efficiency, i.e., thick cloud decks, and the colors of the unusually blue dwarfs by nonequilibrium models with high sedimentation efficiency, i.e., thin cloud decks. The K - L' and Spitzer [3.55] - [4.49] colors can be used as indicators of effective temperature for L and T dwarfs, but care must be taken to include gravity and metallicity effects for late-T dwarfs and vertical mixing for both late-L and T dwarfs.