Bibcode
DOI
Rebolo, R.; Martin, E. L.; Basri, G.; Marcy, G. W.; Zapatero-Osorio, M. R.
Bibliographical reference
Astrophysical Journal Letters v.469, p.L53
Advertised on:
9
1996
Citations
190
Refereed citations
138
Description
We present Keck Observatory 10 m telescope spectra of the two Pleiades
brown dwarfs, Teide 1 and Calar 3, showing a clear detection of the Li
670.8 nm resonance line. In Teide 1, we have also obtained evidence for
the presence of the subordinate line at 812.6 nm. A high Li abundance
[log N(Li) >= 2.5], consistent with little if any depletion, is
inferred from the observed lines. Since Pleiades brown dwarfs are unable
to burn Li, the significant preservation of this fragile element
confirms the substellar nature of our two objects. Regardless of their
age, their low luminosities and Li content place Teide 1 and Calar 3
comfortably in the genuine brown dwarf realm. Given the probable age of
the Pleiades cluster, their masses are estimated at 55 +/- 15 MJ.