A Unified Analysis of Brown Dwarf and Exoplanet Companions from Direct Imaging Surveys
Abstract
While brown dwarfs and exoplanets are currently distinguished by the deuterium-burning limit, the observed distribution of substellar companions over the full range of masses 1-75 M_Jup) is a promising path to understanding the origin of these objects. To this end, we present a unified analysis of the populations of brown dwarf and exoplanet companions, based on the results from several large-scale direct imaging surveys conducted with high-contrast imaging on 8-10 meter class telescopes. Altogether, these surveys have obtained high-contrast imaging of several hundred stars, spanning a wide range of stellar spectral types (BAFGKM) and age. To account for inhomogeneities in the surveys (including contrast and FOV) and the uncertain properties of the target stars and detected substellar companions, we have developed a new Bayesian framework melded with detailed Monte Carlo simulations in order to measure the frequency of substellar objects, the distributions that describe their masses and semi-major axes, and the associated covariances. Through such a unified analysis, we are able to for the first time examine the interplay between brown dwarf and giant planet populations orbiting nearby stars.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #223
- Pub Date:
- January 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014AAS...22334819N