Related papers: Correlated spectral variability in brown dwarfs
We present a technique to identify spectrophotometrically variable L7-T3 brown dwarfs with single-epoch, low-resolution, near-infrared SpeX spectra. We calculated spectral indices on known variable brown dwarfs and used them to select 11…
We discuss methods for classifying T dwarfs based on spectral morphological features and indices. T dwarfs are brown dwarfs which exhibit methane absorption bands at 1.6 and 2.2 ${\mu}m$. Spectra at red optical (6300--10100 {\AA}) and…
Most brown dwarfs show some level of photometric or spectral variability. However, finding the most variable dwarfs more suited for a thorough variability monitoring campaign remained a challenge until a few years ago with the design of…
Using the Gemini infrared camera on the 3-meter Shane telescope at Lick Observatory, we have searched for broad-band J and K' photometric variability for a sample of 15 L and T-type brown dwarfs, including 7 suspected spectral binaries.…
We present a photometric variability survey of young planetary-mass objects using the New Technology Telescope in the Js and Ks bands. Surface gravity plays an important role in the atmospheric structure of brown dwarfs, as young low…
We present results from a two-night R~4000 0.9-2.5 micron spectroscopic monitoring campaign of Luhman 16AB (L7.5 + T0.5). We assess the variability amplitude as a function of pressure level in the atmosphere of Luhman 16B: the more variable…
Recent discoveries of variable brown dwarfs have provided us with a new window into their three-dimensional cloud structure. The highest variables are found at the L/T transition, where the cloud cover is thought to break up, but…
We present a $L$-band (2.98--3.96$\mu$m) spectroscopic study of 8 young L dwarfs with spectral types ranging from L2 to L7. Our spectra (${\lambda}/{\Delta \lambda}\approx$ 250 to 600) were collected using the Gemini Near-InfraRed…
The inwards scattering of planetesimals towards white dwarfs is expected to be a stochastic process with variability on human time-scales. The planetesimals tidally disrupt at the Roche radius, producing dusty debris detectable as excess…
Brown dwarfs are compact objects that do not reach temperatures high enough to produce sustained hydrogen fusion. Consequently, they cool over time, gradually evolving through later spectral types. In fact, three new spectral types (L, T,…
We present new 5.2-14.5 micron low-resolution spectra of 14 mid-L to mid-T dwarfs, as well as 3.0-4.1 micron spectra for five of these dwarfs. These data are supplemented by existing red and near-infrared spectra (0.6-2.5 micron), as well…
Brown dwarfs constitute a missing link between low-mass stars and giant planets. Their atmospheres display chemical species typical of planets, and one could wonder whether they also have weather-like patterns. While brown dwarf surface…
We investigate variations in the strengths of three molecular bands, CH4 at 3.3 um, CO at 4.6 um and CO2 at 4.2 um, in 16 brown dwarf spectra obtained by AKARI. Spectral features are examined along the sequence of source classes from L1 to…
Many brown dwarfs exhibit photometric variability at levels from tenths to tens of percents. The photometric variability is related to magnetic activity or patchy cloud coverage, characteristic of brown dwarfs near the L-T transition.…
Brown dwarf spectra are rich in information revealing of the chemical and physical processes operating in their atmospheres. We apply a recently developed atmospheric retrieval tool to an ensemble of late T-dwarf (600-800K) near infrared…
We have conducted a photometric monitoring program of 3 field late-L brown dwarfs looking for evidence of non-axisymmetric structure or temporal variability in their photospheres. The observations were performed using Spitzer/IRAC 4.5 and 8…
We present time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy of two L5 dwarfs, 2MASS J18212815+1414010 and 2MASS J15074759-1627386, observed with the Wide Field Camera 3 instrument on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We study the wavelength…
We present simultaneous, multiband monitoring of 19 field M dwarfs (spectral types M2-M9). Significant variability was found in seven objects in at least one out of the three channels I, R and G. Two objects, LHS370 (M5V) and 2M1707+64…
We report the possible identification of weak methane spectral features in the near-infrared K band in two late L dwarfs, DENIS 0205-11 (L7) and 2MASS 1523+30 (L8). New, high signal-to-noise ratio flux-calibrated spectra, spanning the…
The re-emergence of the 0.99 $\mu$m FeH feature in brown dwarfs of early- to mid-T spectral type has been suggested as evidence for cloud disruption where flux from deep, hot regions below the Fe cloud deck can emerge. The same mechanism…