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| Paper: |
M and L Dwarf Dynamical Masses with One Adaptive Optics Observation |
| Volume: |
448, 16th Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun |
| Page: |
849 |
| Authors: |
Dieterich, S. B.; Henry, T. J.; Jao, W.-C.; Riedel, A. R. |
| Abstract: |
The accurate determination of individual dynamical masses is crucial for a comprehensive understanding
of objects at the end of the stellar main sequence. As a part of our efforts to thoroughly characterize
the stellar/substellar transition region, we have recently begun an effort to obtain dynamical masses
for individual components of sub-arcsecond M and L dwarf binaries. Our method combines photocentric
orbits obtained as a bi-product of trigonometric parallax observations at CTIO with a single Gemini North / NIRI
AO resolved image. The separation and flux ratio of the AO image is then used to scale the photocentric
orbit into the barycentric orbit necessary to solve Kepler's third law. Because the photocentric orbit
is measured relative to the background of “fixed” stars, this method also yields the mass ratio of
the two components. We describe our methodology and mention the current state of the
project in these proceedings. |
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