Adam J. Burgasser et al. 2002 The Astronomical Journal 123 2744 doi:10.1086/339836
A Search for Variability in the Active T Dwarf 2MASS 1237+6526
FREE ISSUEAdam J. Burgasser1,2, James Liebert3, J. Davy Kirkpatrick4 and John E. Gizis5
Show affiliationsWe present spectroscopic and imaging observations of the active T dwarf 2MASS 1237+6526, intended to investigate the emission mechanism of this cool brown dwarf. The Hα emission line, first detected in 1999 July, appears to be persistent over 1.6 yr, with no significant variation from
(LHα/Lbol) = -4.3, ruling out flaring as a possible source. The relatively high level of emission in this object appears to be unique among observed late-L and T dwarfs. One of our spectra shows an apparent velocity shift in the Hα line, which could indicate an accretion hot spot in orbit around the brown dwarf; further confirmation of this shift is required. J-band monitoring observations fail to detect any significant variability (e.g., eclipsing events) at the ±0.025 mag level over periods of up to 2.5 hr, and there appears to be no statistical evidence of variability for periods of up to 14 hr. These limits constrain the mass of a hypothetical interacting secondary to M2 
20 MJup for inclinations i 
60°. While our observations do not explicitly rule out the binary hypothesis for this object, it does suggest that other mechanisms, such as youthful accretion, may be responsible.
- Keywords
binaries: general; infrared: stars; stars: activity; stars: individual (2MASSI J1237392+652615); stars: low-mass, brown dwarfs
- Dates
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Issue 5 (2002 May)
Received 2001 October 29, accepted for publication 2002 January 22
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A Search for Variability in the Active T Dwarf 2MASS 1237+6526
Adam J. Burgasser et al. 2002 The Astronomical Journal 123 2744
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