2MASS J11151597+1937266: A Young, Dusty, Isolated, Planetary-Mass Object with a Potential Wide Stellar Companion

13 Dec 2017  ·  Theissen Christopher A., Burgasser Adam J., Gagliuffi Daniella C. Bardalez, Hardegree-Ullman Kevin K., Gagné Jonathan, Schmidt Sarah J., West Andrew A. ·

We present 2MASS J11151597+1937266, a recently identified low-surface gravity L dwarf, classified as an L2$\gamma$ based on Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical spectroscopy. We confirm this spectral type with near-infrared spectroscopy, which provides further evidence that 2MASS J11151597+1937266 is a low-surface gravity L dwarf... This object also shows significant excess mid-infrared flux, indicative of circumstellar material; and its strong H$\alpha$ emission (EW$_{\mathrm{H}\alpha}=560\pm82$ \AA) is an indicator of enhanced magnetic activity or weak accretion. Comparison of its spectral energy distribution to model photospheres yields an effective temperature of $1724^{+184}_{-38}$ K. We also provide a revised distance estimate of $37\pm6$ pc using a spectral type-luminosity relationship for low-surface gravity objects. The 3-dimensional galactic velocities and positions of 2MASS J11151597+1937266 do not match any known young association or moving group. Assuming a probable age in the range of 5-45 Myr, the model-dependent estimated mass of this object is between 7-21 $M_\mathrm{Jup}$, making it a potentially isolated planetary-mass object. We also identify a candidate co-moving, young stellar companion, 2MASS J11131089+2110086. read more

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