(ORDO NEWS) — Using the Gemini North telescope, astronomers made spectroscopic observations of a binary system known as SDSS J222551.65+001637.7AB.
The results of the observational campaign show that the system consists of a white dwarf and a brown dwarf companion.
SDSS J222551.65+001637.7AB is a binary system located approximately 711 light years from Earth.
It was first identified in 2006 as a binary system consisting of a hydrogen-rich white dwarf and a less massive stellar or substellar companion.
More recent observations of SDSS J222551.65+001637.7AB showed that the effective temperature of the white dwarf is almost 11,000 K, and that the distance between the two objects does not exceed 350 AU.
Given that very little was known about the white dwarf’s companion in this system, a team of astronomers led by Jenny R. French of the University of Leicester observed the binary star using the GNIRS spectrograph at Gemini North.
Spectroscopic observations were carried out in July 2020 as part of the GN-2020A-Q-322 program.
Observations have shown that SDSS J222551.65+001637.7AB includes a white dwarf and a brown dwarf.
The two components of the system are separated from each other by about 207 AU. This makes SDSS J222551.65+001637.7AB the eighth confirmed white dwarf–brown dwarf binary.
According to the study, the white dwarf, designated SDSS J222551.65+001637.7A, has a mass of about 0.66 solar masses and an effective temperature of 10,926 K.
The brown dwarf SDSS J222551.65+001637.7B is spectral type L4 and its mass is estimated to range from 25 to 53 Jupiter masses.
The system is estimated to be almost two billion years old and has a minimum orbital period of 3,560 years.
According to the researchers, the two components of the system evolve separately, as they are at a great distance.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.