Open AccessA Methane, Isolated, Planetary‐Mass Object in Orion
Author(s) -
M. R. Zapatero Osorio,
V. J. S. Béjar,
E. L. Martı́n,
R. Rébolo,
D. Barrado,
R. Mundt,
J. Eislöffel,
J. A. Caballero
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the astrophysical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.376
H-Index - 489
eISSN - 1538-4357
pISSN - 0004-637X
DOI - 10.1086/342474
Subject(s) - photometry (optics) , brown dwarf , physics , astronomy , initial mass function , planetary mass , low mass , astrophysics , jupiter (rocket family) , mass ratio , planet , star formation , astrobiology , stars , planetary system , space shuttle
We report on the discovery of a free-floating methane dwarf toward thedirection of the young star cluster sigma Orionis. Based on the object'sfar-red optical and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy, we conclude thatit is a possible member of this association. We have named it as S OriJ053810.1-023626 (S Ori 70 is the abridged name). If it is a true member ofsigma Orionis, the comparison of the photometric and spectroscopic propertiesof S Ori 70 with state-of-the-art evolutionary models yields a mass of 3(+5/-1) Jupiter mass for ages between 1 Myr and 8 Myr. The presence of such alow-mass object in our small search area (55.4 sq. arcmin) would indicate arising substellar initial mass function in the sigma Orionis cluster even forplanetary masses.Comment: Accepted for publication in the ApJ. Twelve pages, figures and tables include
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom