Hubble Space Telescope astrometry of the closest brown dwarf binary system - I. Overview and improved orbit
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Date
2017-08
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
Located at 2 pc, the L7.5+T0.5 dwarfs system WISE J104915.57−531906.1 (Luhman 16 AB)
is the third closest system known to Earth, making it a key benchmark for detailed investigation
of brown dwarf atmospheric properties, thermal evolution, multiplicity, and planet-hosting
frequency. In the first study of this series – based on a multicycle Hubble Space Telescope
(HST) program – we provide an overview of the project and present improved estimates of
positions, proper motions, annual parallax, mass ratio, and the current best assessment of the
orbital parameters of the A-B pair. Our HST observations encompass the apparent periastron
of the binary at 220.5 ± 0.2 mas at epoch 2016.402. Although our data seem to be inconsistent
with recent ground-based astrometric measurements, we also exclude the presence of third
bodies down to Neptune masses and periods longer than a year.
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published
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Journal / series
Volume
470 (1)
Pages / Article No.
1140 - 1155
Publisher
Oxford University Press
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Subject
astrometry; binaries: visual; brown dwarfs
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Notes
It was possible to publish this article open access thanks to a Swiss National Licence with the publisher.