Imaging and Spectroscopy of Hot (Young) "Ultracool" Companions

Schneider, G.
Lowrance, P. J.
Becklin, E. E.
Kirkpatrick, J. D.
Plait, P.
Heap, S. R.
Malumuth, E.
Terille, R. J.
Dumas, C.
Schultz, A. B.
Smith, B. A.
Weinberger, A. J.
Hines, D. C.

Publication date

January 2001

Publisher

Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH

Abstract

We report the initial results from a program of HST/STIS spectroscopy of “hot” low-mass (brown dwarf) companions to nearby young stars identified in our HST/NICMOS coronagraphic imaging survey. We present spectra of the likely 20 and 40 Jupiter mass companions to CD -33° 7795 and HR 7329, respectively, the binary companions to GL 577 (both, possibly, brown dwarfs), and the low-mass star GL 503.2B. We discuss the state of our recent follow-up observations of the putative companion to TWA 6. We add these companions to the very few already known, allowing the first steps to be taken toward answering many fundamental questions regarding the formation and evolution of multiple systems with components near and below the stellar/substellar boundar...