Spectral Classification of Brown Dwarfs
Abstract
The spectral classification scheme has been extended past the standard OBAFGKM to include the types L, T, and Y to accommodate brown dwarfs, the sub-stellar link between low-mass stars and Jupiter-like exoplanets. As more L, T, and Y dwarfs are discovered, more gaps in the current methods of classification for these objects are revealed-- the spectra of brown dwarfs peak in the near infrared while the main spectral typing scheme continues to be based in the optical. In order to develop a more reliable near infrared spectral typing scheme, we tested the existing method utilizing near infrared spectral indices by comparing its results to those determined by the more widely used optical method. We present results that necessitate a revision of the current spectral indices in order to rely upon this method for accurate spectral classification.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #221
- Pub Date:
- January 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AAS...22115822F