Program: GN-2016B-FT-8

Title:Searching for the Least Massive Brown Dwarfs in IC 348
PI:Kevin Luhman
Co-I(s): Taran Esplin

Abstract

The measurement of the minimum mass of the IMF would provide a fundamental test of theories of star formation. To provide better constraints on the minimum of the IMF, we are performing a search for low-mass brown dwarfs in the IC 348 star-forming cluster (300 pc) using color-magnitude diagrams constructed from deep optical and near-infrared images. We have identified 9 promising candidates that could be the least massive known members of IC 348 (3-5 Jupiter masses). Spectroscopy is required to verify the youth and cool nature of these candidates. Because these faint targets require a significant amount of observing time, we propose to initially obtain GNIRS spectra of only 4 of the 9 candidates to assess the yield of bona fide brown dwarfs in this sample. If at least 2/4 candidates are confirmed, we will then propose spectroscopy of the remaining 5 candidates.

Publications using this program's data