The fundamental importance of brown dwarf binaries
Abstract
Binary and multiple stellar systems have long been used to study the formation and fundamental properties of stars. With the first discovery of brown dwarf binary systems in 1999, these constraints could be extended into the substellar regime. In the subsequent 14 years, over 100 very low mass (VLM) binaries have been discovered, both amongst the field population and in young clusters. In this proceedings, I review the surveys that discovered this important population. Specifically, these surveys have shown that there seems to be a dearth of wide VLM binaries in the field, and a preference for nearly equal mass components, while in young clusters, a larger range of separations and mass ratios have been found. I also discuss long-term monitoring programs that have constrained the masses of these objects, and how the assumed coevality of VLM binaries has been important for understanding the atmospheric physics of the L/T transition. Finally, I will discuss how additional measurements of the radii, temperatures, and rotational properties of VLM binaries have been, and will continue to be, essential for our understanding of substellar objects.
- Publication:
-
Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana
- Pub Date:
- 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013MmSAI..84.1005K
- Keywords:
-
- stars: brown dwarfs;
- stars: binaries: general;
- stars: fundamental parameters