Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy of a Planetary Mass Candidate Companion to a Young Solar Analog

Authors: David Lafrenière, Ray Jayawardhana, Marten H. van Kerkwijk (University of Toronto)

(Submitted on 8 Sep 2008 (v1), last revised 24 Oct 2008 (this version, v2))

Abstract: We present Gemini near-infrared adaptive optics imaging and spectroscopy of a planetary mass candidate companion to 1RXS J160929.1-210524, a roughly solar-mass member of the 5 Myr-old Upper Scorpius association. The object, separated by 2.22" or 330 AU at ~150 pc, has infrared colors and spectra suggesting a temperature of 1800(-100/+200) K, and spectral type of L4(-2/+1).

The H- and K-band spectra provide clear evidence of low surface gravity, and thus youth. Based on the widely used DUSTY models, we infer a mass of 8(-2/+4)Mjupiter. If gravitationally bound, this would be the lowest mass companion imaged around a normal star thus far, and its existence at such a large separation would pose a serious challenge to theories of star and planet formation.

Comments: Revised accepted version, ApJL, in press

Subjects: Astrophysics (astro-ph)

Cite as: arXiv:0809.1424v2 [astro-ph]

Submission history

From: David Lafreni\`ere [view email]

[v1] Mon, 8 Sep 2008 20:00:05 GMT (218kb)

[v2] Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:31:52 GMT (294kb)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0809.1424