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Title:
Discovery of a Tight Brown Dwarf Companion to theLow-Mass Star LHS 2397a
Authors:
Freed, Melanie; Close, Laird M.; Siegler, Nick
Affiliation:
AA(Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, 933 North Cherry Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85721-0065 .), AB(Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, 933 North Cherry Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85721-0065 .), AC(Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, 933 North Cherry Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85721-0065 )
Publication:
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 584, Issue 1, pp. 453-458. (ApJ Homepage)
Publication Date:
02/2003
Origin:
UCP
ApJ Keywords:
Stars: Binaries: General, Instrumentation: Adaptive Optics, Stars: Evolution, Stars: Formation, Stars: Individual: Alphanumeric: LHS 2397a, Stars: Low-Mass, Brown Dwarfs
DOI:
10.1086/345533
Bibliographic Code:
2003ApJ...584..453F

Abstract

Using the adaptive optics system, Hokupa`a, at Gemini North, we have directly imaged a companion around the UKIRT faint standard M8 star LHS 2397a (FS 129) at a separation of 2.96 AU. Near-infrared photometry of the companion has shown it to be an L7.5 brown dwarf and confirmed the spectral type of the primary to be M8. We also derive a substellar mass of the companion of 0.068 Msolar, although masses in the range 0.061-0.069 Msolar are possible, and the primary mass is 0.090 Msolar (0.089-0.094 Msolar). Reanalysis of archival imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope has confirmed the secondary as a common proper motion object. This binary represents the first clear example of a brown dwarf companion within 4 AU of a low-mass star and should be one of the first late-L dwarfs to have a dynamical mass. As part of a larger survey of M8-L0 stars, this object may indicate that there is no ``brown dwarf desert'' around low-mass primaries.

Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained from the data archive at the Space Telescope Science Institute. STScI is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.

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