Bibcode
Bihain, G.; Rebolo, R.; Zapatero Osorio, M. R.; Béjar, V. J. S.; Villó-Pérez, I.; Díaz-Sánchez, A.; Pérez-Garrido, A.; Caballero, J. A.; Bailer-Jones, C. A. L.; Barrado y Navascués, D.; Eislöffel, J.; Forveille, T.; Goldman, B.; Henning, T.; Martín, E. L.; Mundt, R.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 506, Issue 3, 2009, pp.1169-1182
Advertised on:
11
2009
Journal
Citations
63
Refereed citations
56
Description
Context: Free-floating substellar candidates with estimated theoretical
masses of as low as ∼5 Jupiter masses have been found in the
∼3 Myr old σ Orionis open cluster. As the
overlap with the planetary mass domain increases, the question of how
these objects form becomes important. The determination of their number
density and whether a mass cut-off limit exists is crucial to
understanding their formation. Aims: We propose to search for
objects of yet lower masses in the cluster and determine the shape of
the mass function at low mass. Methods: Using new- and
(re-analysed) published IZJHKs[3.6]-[8.0]-band data of an area of 840
arcmin2, we performed a search for LT-type cluster member
candidates in the magnitude range J=19.5-21.5 mag, based on their
expected magnitudes and colours. Results: Besides recovering the
T type object S Ori 70 and two other known objects,
we find three new cluster member candidates, S Ori 72-74, with J≈21
mag and within 12 arcmin of the cluster centre. They have theoretical
masses of 4-2 +3 MJup and are among the
least massive free-floating objects detected by direct imaging outside
the Solar System. The photometry in archival Spitzer [3.6]-[5.8]-band
images infers that S Ori 72 is an L/T transition
candidate and S Ori 73 a T-type candidate, following
the expected cluster sequence in the mid-infrared. Finally, the L-type
candidate S Ori 74 with lower quality photometry is
located at 11.8 arcsec (∼4250 AU) of a stellar member of σ
Orionis and could be a companion. After contaminant correction in the
area complete to J=21.1 mag, we estimate that there remain between zero
and two cluster members in the mass interval 6-4 MJup. Conclusions: We present S Ori 73, a new candidate T type and candidate
σ Orionis member of a few Jupiter masses. Our result suggests a
possible turnover in the substellar mass spectrum below ∼6
Jupiter masses, which could be investigated further by wider and deeper
photometric surveys.
Related projects
Very Low Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs and Planets
Our goal is to study the processes that lead to the formation of low mass stars, brown dwarfs and planets and to characterize the physical properties of these objects in various evolutionary stages. Low mass stars and brown dwarfs are likely the most numerous type of objects in our Galaxy but due to their low intrinsic luminosity they are not so
Rafael
Rebolo López