We show that the total habitable volume in the atmospheres of cool brown dwarfs with effective temperatures of ∼250-350 K is possibly larger by two orders of magnitude than that […]
brown dwarf
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Measuring the D/H Ratios of Exoplanets and Brown Dwarfs
The relative abundance of deuterium and hydrogen is a potent tracer of planet formation and evolution. Jupiter and Saturn have protosolar D/H ratios, a relic of substantial gas accretion from […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Water Clouds Found In Coldest Brown Dwarf's Spectrum
Since its detection in 2014, the brown dwarf known as WISE 0855 has fascinated astronomers. Only 7.2 light-years from Earth, it is the coldest known object outside of our solar […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Methane, Carbon Monoxide, and Ammonia in Brown Dwarfs and Self-Luminous Giant Planets
We address disequilibrum abundances of some simple molecules in the atmospheres of solar composition brown dwarfs and self-luminous extrasolar giant planets using a kinetics-based 1D atmospheric chemistry model. We employ […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes
Indications of Water Clouds in the Coldest Known Brown Dwarf
We present a deep near-infrared image of the newly discovered brown dwarf WISE J085510.83-071442.5 (W0855) using the FourStar imager at Las Campanas Observatory. Our detection of J3=24.8+0.33 -0.53 (J_MKO=25.0+0.33-0.53) at […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Signatures of Cloud, Temperature, and Gravity From Spectra of the Closest Brown Dwarfs
We present medium resolution optical and NIR spectral data for components of the newly discovered WISE J104915.57-531906.1AB (Luhman 16AB) brown dwarf binary. The optical spectra reveal strong 6708 A Li […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Chemical Abundances of Stars With Brown Dwarf Companions
It is well-known that stars with giant planets are on average more metal-rich than stars without giant planets, whereas stars with detected low-mass planets do not need to be metal-rich. […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Water Clouds in Y Dwarfs and Exoplanets
The formation of clouds affects brown dwarf and planetary atmospheres of nearly all effective temperatures. Iron and silicate condense in L dwarf atmospheres and dissipate at the L/T transition. Minor […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Spitzer Probes Weather on Brown Dwarfs
Swirling, stormy clouds may be ever-present on cool celestial orbs called brown dwarfs. New observations from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope suggest that most brown dwarfs are roiling with one or […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Brown Dwarfs, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report
A Search For Rocky Planets Transiting Brown Dwarfs
Exoplanetary science has reached a historic moment. The James Webb Space Telescope will be capable of probing the atmospheres of rocky planets, and perhaps even search for biologically produced gases. […]