Infrared Spectrum of the Cool Brown Dwarf Gl 229B

1995293 citationsJournal Article

Authors

Rebecca Oppenheimer · California Institute of Technology

S. R. Kulkarni · California Institute of Technology

K. Matthews · California Institute of Technology

T. Nakajima · California Institute of Technology

Abstract

Spectroscopic measurements of a cool brown dwarf, Gl 229B, reveal absorption features attributable to methane in the near infrared much like those of Jupiter. These features are not seen in any star. The presence of methane indicates that the surface temperature of Gl 229B is below 1000 kelvin. Features attributed to water vapor also indicate that Gl 229B is much cooler than any known star.

Topics & Keywords

Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies High-pressure geophysics and materials

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Clean water and sanitation

Publication Details

Published in: Science

Volume 270, Issue 5241, pp. 1478-1479

DOI: 10.1126/science.270.5241.1478

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 18.46