Abstract
We present a deep near-infrared image of the newly discovered brown dwarfWISE J085510.83-071442.5 (W0855) using the FourStar imager at Las Campanas Observatory. Our detection of J 3 = 24.8+0.53-0.35 (JMKO = 25.0+0.53-0.35) at 2.6σ- or equivalently an upper limit of J 3 > 23.8 (JMKO > 24.0) at 5σ makes W0855 the reddest brown dwarf ever categorized (JMKO - W2 = 10.984+0.53-0.35 at 2.6σ- or equivalently an upper limit of JMKO - W2 > 9.984 at 5σ) and refines its position on color-magnitude diagrams. Comparing the new photometry with chemical equilibrium model atmosphere predictions, we demonstrate that W0855 is 2.7σ from models using a cloudless atmosphere and well reproduced by partly cloudy models (50%) containing sulfide and water ice clouds. Non-equilibrium chemistry or non-solar metallicity may change predictions, however using currently available model approaches, this is the first candidate outside our own solar system to have direct evidence for water clouds.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | L16 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal Letters |
Volume | 793 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 20 2014 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science