2023AJ....166...57M -
Astron. J., 166, 57 (2023/August-0)
Exploring the Extremes: Characterizing a New Population of Old and Cold Brown Dwarfs.
MEISNER A.M., LEGGETT S.K., LOGSDON S.E., SCHNEIDER A.C., TREMBLIN P. and PHILLIPS M.
Abstract (from CDS):
Mapping out the populations of thick disk and halo brown dwarfs is important for understanding the metallicity dependence of low-temperature atmospheres and the substellar mass function. Recently, a new population of cold and metal-poor brown dwarfs has been discovered, with Teff ≲ 1400 K and metallicity ≲-1 dex. This population includes what may be the first known “extreme T-type subdwarfs” and possibly the first Y-type subdwarf, WISEA J153429.75-104303.3. We have conducted a Gemini YJHK/Ks photometric follow-up campaign targeting potentially metal-poor T and Y dwarfs, utilizing the GNIRS and Flamingos-2 instruments. We present 14 near-infrared photometric detections of eight unique targets: six T subdwarf candidates, one moderately metal-poor Y dwarf candidate, and one Y subdwarf candidate. We have obtained the first-ever ground-based detection of the highly anomalous object WISEA J153429.75-104303.3. The F110W - J color of WISEA J153429.75-104303.3 is significantly bluer than that of other late T and Y dwarfs, indicating that WISEA J153429.75-104303.3 has an unusual spectrum in the 0.9-1.4 μm wavelength range which encompasses the J-band peak. Our J-band detection of WISEA J153429.75-104303.3 and corresponding model comparisons suggest a subsolar metallicity and temperature of 400-550 K for this object. JWST spectroscopic follow-up at near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths would allow us to better understand the spectral peculiarities of WISEA J153429.75-104303.3, assess its physical properties, and conclusively determine whether or not it is the first Y-type subdwarf.
Abstract Copyright:
© 2023. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.
Journal keyword(s):
Brown dwarfs - T dwarfs - Y dwarfs - Metallicity - Infrared photometry
Errata:
erratum vol. 170, art. 134 (2025)
Simbad objects:
27
Full paper
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