Closest Brown Dwarf Companion Ever Spotted Around a Star Provokes New Perspective

This discovery image from the Gemini Observatory represents the closest brown dwarf companion ever directly imaged around a star (named LHS 2397a). This image was obtained on Feb. 7, 2002 with the Gemini North Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii using the University of Hawaii's Adaptive Optics system Hokupa`a and the QUIRC infrared imager. The resolution of the image is 0.1 arcseconds (equal to the size of a quarter held 32 miles away). The companion is so faint and red that it must have a cool "L7" atmosphere and is therefore only massive enough to be a brown dwarf.

Créditos:

Gemini Observatory/Melanie Freed, Laird Close, Nick Siegler University of Arizona/ Hokupa'a-QUIRC image, University of Hawaii, IfA"

About the Image

Id:gemini0205a
Tipo:Observation
Release date:21 de Mayo de 2002 a las 20:00
Related releases:gemini0205
Related announcements:noaoann02005
Size:632 x 632 px

Sobre el Objeto

Nombre:LHS 2397a
Categoría:Stars

Formatos de Imágenes

Large JPEGLarge JPEG
25,5 KB
Screensize JPEGScreensize JPEG
32,3 KB

Zoomable


Fondos de Pantalla

1024x7681024x768
35,5 KB
1280x10241280x1024
45,5 KB
1600x12001600x1200
57,8 KB
1920x12001920x1200
67,8 KB
2048x15362048x1536
194,3 KB

Colores y Filtros

BandaTelescopio
Gemini North
Hokupa'a-36 / QUIRC