NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2008B-0371
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2008B-0371 |
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PI: Peter Allen, Pennsylvania State University, pallen@astro.psu.edu
Address: Astronomy Department, 525 Davey Lab, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
CoI: Adam Burgasser, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
CoI: Jackie Faherty, American Museum of Natural History
CoI: J. Davy Kirkpatrick, Infrared Processing and Analysis Center
CoI: James Liebert, University of Arizona
CoI: I. Neill Reid, Space Telescope Science Institute
Title: Benchmark Brown Dwarfs: Ultracool Tertiary Companions to Degenerate Binaries
Abstract:
Over the last 3 to 4 years there has been increasing evidence, both
theoretical and observational, that the fraction of wide, low-mass
companions to spectroscopic binary systems is considerably higher than
for single objects. Not only does the fraction of stellar companions
increase but also that of substellar companions. We propose a survey to
find benchmark brown dwarfs by taking advantage of the high fraction of
wide, low-mass companions to tight spectroscopic binaries. We are
particularly interested in examining post main sequence systems, as the
white dwarf in the system can serve as a means of obtaining an age
estimate of any associated companion brown dwarf. Finding such
benchmark brown dwarfs is imperative to refining our understanding of
these objects, particularly the evolutionary models that are used to
extract physical parameters. Only by finding brown dwarfs with
independent measurements of parameters such as age, mass, and
metallicity can these important models be checked and improved.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2008B-0371 |
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