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| Paper: |
Linear Polarization of Brown Dwarfs |
| Volume: |
449, Astronomical Polarimetry 2008: Science from Small to Large Telescopes |
| Page: |
308 |
| Authors: |
Pitann, J.; Goldman, B.; Osorio, M. R. Z.; Bailer-Jones, C. A. L.; Béjar, V. S.; Caballero, J. A.; Henning, T. |
| Abstract: |
L-type ultra-cool dwarfs are known to have a dusty atmosphere. Surface
heterogeneities, due to cloud patterns or rotationally-induced
oblateness, would result in an imperfect polarization cancellation and a
small, but non-zero net polarization. The measurement of linear
polarization could shed light on the dust distribution and oblateness of
those objects, as well as the particle size distribution. Young brown
dwarfs share many of their stellar counterparts' characteristics,
including the presence of circumstellar disks. Dust scattering within
the disk also leads to polarization, depending on the disk properties
and inclination angle. We have obtained linear polarization
observations for a sample of young and old brown dwarfs taken with FORS1
at the VLT. We present our measurements and compare our results with
predictions from disk and photospheric models. |
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