arXiv subjects

Dan Potter

Publications and source records attributed to Dan Potter.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2002

An Adaptive Optics Survey of M8-M9 Stars: Discovery of 4 Very Low mass Binaries With at Least One System Containing a Brown Dwarf Companion

Use of the highly sensitive Hokupa'a/Gemini curvature wavefront sensor has allowed for the first time direct adaptive optics (AO) guiding on M8-M9 very low mass (VLM) stars. An initial survey of 20 such objects (SpT=M8-M9) discovered 4 binaries. Three of the systems have separations of less than 4.2 AU and similar mass ratios (Delta K<0.8 mag; 0.85 3 AU. This is likely consistent with the 23+/-5% measured for more massive (M0-M6) stars over the same separation range. It appears M8-M9 binaries have a much smaller semi-major axis distribution peak (~4 AU; with no systems wider than 15 AU) compared to M and G stars which have a broad peak at larger \~30 AU separations.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

The Evolution of Circumstellar Disks: Lessons from the VLT and ISO

There is strong evidence that the planets in the solar system evolved from a disk-shaped solar nebula ~4.56 Gyr ago. By studying young stars in various evolutionary stages, one aims at tracing back the early history of the solar system, in particular the timescales for disk dissipation and for the formation of planetary systems. We used the VLT & ISAAC, and ESA's Infrared Space Observatory & ISOCAM to study the circumstellar environment of young low-mass stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Observing the planet formation time-scale by ground-based direct imaging of planetary companions to young nearby stars: Gemini/Hokupa'a image of TWA-5

Many extra-solar planets and a few planetary systems have been found indirectly by small periodic radial velocity variations around old nearby stars. The orbital characteristics of most of them are different from the planets in our solar system. Hence, planet formation theories have to be revised. Therefore, observational constraints regarding young planets would be very valuable. We have started a ground-based direct imaging search for giant planets in orbit around young nearby stars. Here, we will motivate the sample selection and will present our direct imaging observation of the very low-mass (15 to 40 Jupiter masses) brown dwarf companion TWA-5 B in orbit around the nearby young star TWA-5 A, recently obtained with the 36-element curvature-sensing AO instrument Hokupa'a of the University of Hawai'i at the 8.3m Gemini-North telescope on Mauna Kea. We could achieve a FWHM of 64 mas and 25 % Strehl. We find significance evidence for orbital motion of B around A.

astro-ph↗