Infrared spectrum of the cool brown dwarf Gl 229B

B R Oppenheimer; S R Kulkarni; K Matthews; T Nakajima

doi:10.1126/science.270.5241.1478

Infrared spectrum of the cool brown dwarf Gl 229B

Science. 1995 Dec 1;270(5241):1478-9. doi: 10.1126/science.270.5241.1478.

Authors

B R Oppenheimer¹, S R Kulkarni, K Matthews, T Nakajima

Affiliation

¹ Palomar Observatory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, USA.

PMID: 7491492
DOI: 10.1126/science.270.5241.1478

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.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Extraterrestrial Environment*
Methane / analysis*
Solar System*
Spectrophotometry, Infrared
Temperature

Substances

Methane