More New Objects (20 to 33 ly away)

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NASA -- larger image

Many of these new nearby objects are very dim
red dwarfs -- like Gliese 623 A (M2.5V) and
B (M5.8Ve) at lower right -- or white or brown
dwarfs like LP 944-20.

Latest News

On August 24, 2011, astronomers using data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), an infrared space telescope, announced that they found 100 new brown dwarfs, including six very cool, Y-class brown dwarfs within 40 light-years of our Sun, Sol (WISEP J0410+1502, WISEPC J1405+5534, WISEP J1541-2250, WISEP J1738+2732, WISEP J1828+2650, and WISEPC J2056+1459). Preliminary trigonometric parallaxes indicate that Y-dwarf WISE(P) J1541-2250 may be located within 9 light years of our Sun, Sol, and that three more warmer L and T dwarfs (WISE 0254-0223, 1647+5632, and 1741+2732) could be located within 20 to 33 light-years.

CalTech, JPL, NASA

Larger and jumbo illustrations (source).

As of August 24, 2011, astronomers using
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), a
space telescope, have identified six
very cool, Y-class brown dwarfs within
40 light-years of Sol (more).

Y-dwarfs are the coldest members of the brown dwarf family, objects with too little mass to fuse atoms at their cores and thus are unable to fuse elements like hydrogen and helium that keep stars like Sol shining brightly for billions of years. Instead, brown dwarf cool and fade with time until they radiate light only at infrared wavelengths. While the atmospheres of brown dwarfs are similar to those of gas giant planets like Jupiter, but they can be easier to observe in space if they lack the blinding light of a parent star. One of the Y dwarfs discovered, designated WISE 1828+2650, is so cold that its atmospheric temperature is estimated to be cooler than room temperature at less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 25 degrees Celsius (NASA science news and news release; Cushing et al, 2011; and Kirkpatrick et al, 2011).

CalTech, JPL, NASA

Larger and jumbo illustrations (source).

On August 24, 2011, astronomers using the
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE),
a space telescope, have announced the
discovery of six very cool, Y-class brown
dwarfs, including one (WISE 1541-2250)
possibly only some nine light-years from
Sol in Constellation Lyra (more).

APOLOGIES: Special thanks to George Brettrager and Francisco J Aragoneses for pointing that I had failed to convert parsecs into light-years (as I had thought that I did) in my hasty calculations last week. As a result, Jao et al, 2011 (Table 1 and 2, pp. 25-27) actually measured the parallaxes of 10 red dwarf star systems that are located between 20 and 32.6 parsecs (not light-years) of Sol.

On April 19, 2011, a team of astronomers associated with the SuperCOSMOS-RECONS (SCR) proper motion survey submitted a pre-print which used less accurate, photometric parallax measurements to determine that two new red dwarf stars, SCR 1731-2452 and SCR 1946-3214, were located within 10 parsecs (32.6 light-years) at around 30.0 and 32.3 light-years (9.5 and 9.9 parsecs) away, respectively. SCR 1946-3214 was gauged to be "one of the reddest stars found" in the sample. The astronomers believe that more nearby stars and substellar objects will found at "fainter magnitudes and lower proper motion limits than those probed so far" (Boyd et al, 2011, more details on pages 13 and 14).

Walt Feimer, GSFC, NASA

Larger illustration.

By April 11, 2011, two new red dwarf
stars have been identified as likely
to be located within 10 parsecs, or
32.6 light-years of Sol (more).

A very cool, methane brown dwarf, revealed to be nearby object during the Canada France Brown Dwarf Survey (CFBDS) in 2008, has been confirmed to be located within 10 parsecs (at between 29 and 31 light-years) of Sol. Designated CFBDS J005910.90-011401.3 (or CFBDS0059) and classed as a T9, the object has been estimated to have a surface temperature of around 570 degrees Kelvin. The kinematics of CFBDS0059's motion suggest that it may be an older member of the thin disk at around four billion years of age. It may have around 90 percent of Jupiter's diameter (Marocco et al, 2010; and Delorme et al, 2008). A similar T9 dwarf, ULAS J133553.45+113005.2 (ULAS 1335), is probaby between 32.6 and 34.6 light-years away (Marocco et al, 2010; and Burningham et al, 2008).

CFBDS, CFH

Larger and jumbo, infrared field images.

CFBDS J005910.90-011401.3 (reddish
object at top center) is an "ultra-cool"
brown dwarf located between 29 and
31 light-years from Sol (more).

On November 9, 2010, astronomers working with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), a space telescope, reported finding an "ultra-cool" brown dwarf, which follow-up spectroscopy with the Large Binocular Telescope suggests may be around spectral type T9. With a surface temperature estimated at only around 600° Kelvin (620° F or 327° C), WISEPC J045853.90+643451.9 (or WISEPC J0458+64), has an atmosphere rich in methane, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia. The brown dwarf is located between 18 and 30 light-years away from Sol, along the neck of Constellation "Camelopardus" or "Camelopardalis", the giraffe. The astronomers believe that WISEPC J0458+64 will likely be only the first of hundreds of nearby brown dwarf that remain to be identified in observational data collected by the WISE mission, which will require follow-up observations, particularly with powerful infrared instruments such as the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope that is currently scheduled for launch in 2014 (NASA/JPL news release; WISE Multimedia Gallery feature; and Mainzer et al, 2010).

WISE, UCLA, CalTech, JPL, NASA

Larger and jumbo infrared images.

WISEPC J045853.90+643451.9 is an "ultra-cool"
brown dwarf located between 18 and 30 light-years
away (more).

In late 2009, several teams of astronomers announced the discovery of a relatively close by brown dwarf, which then found to be a binary system, one member of which is one of the coolest brown dwarfs known. Designated SDSS J141624.08+134826.7 (or SDSS J1416+13 ab), substellar object "a" appears to be of spectral type L6 and separated from its its cooler and less massive companion at around 74 AUs (9.4 arc-seconds). Object "b" (alternatively designated as ULAS J141623.94+134836.3) is so cool that it may be eventually classed as a member of a new spectral type "Y" at around 500 to 600° Kelvin (although recently discovered, nearby brown dwarf UGPS J072227.51-054031.2, or UGPS J0722-05 or UGPS 0722-05, may be cooler at 400 to 500° Kelvin). The binary system is located only around 25.7 +/- 5.5 light-years away from Sol (Bowler et al, 2010; Burgasser et al, 2010; R.-D. Scholz, 2010; Burningham et al, 2010, and Schmidt et al, 2010).

WISE, UC-Boulder,
CalTech, JPL, NASA

Larger composite image.

SDSS J1416+13 ab are a pair
of relatively closeby brown
dwarfs located around 26
light-years away (more).

New Nearby Objects

Although their physical characteristics are no longer considered to be unusual among nearby stars, preliminary distance estimates for the following celestial objects indicate that they also may be located between 20 to 32.6 light-years (ly), or 6.1 to 10 parsecs, of Sol.

Catalogue Designation	Spectral & Luminosity Type	Preliminary Distance (ly)	More Information
Red Dwarfs
LHS 2090	M6.0 V	20.78 +/- 0.04	(Henry et al, 2006; Subasavage et al, 2005; AIP; and RECONS)
LHS 271	M4.5 V	21.3 +/- 0.3	GJ 1128 (Jao et al, 2005; Henry et al, 2004; and RECONS)
LHS 337	M4.0 V	21.5 +/- 0.5	(Subasavage et al, 2004; and RECONS)
G 41-14 ABC	M4.5 V M4.5? V M4.5? V	22.1 +/- 0.3	Sep(AB)= 0.05 AU, Sep(AB-C)= 4.5 AUs (Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
LP 771-095 ABC	M3.0 V M3.5 V M3.5? V	22.5 +/- 0.4	(Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
LHS 22	M4.5 Vp	22.7 +/- 0.3	GJ 1068 (Jao et al, 2005; and Ianna et al, 1994)
CD-68 47 B	M3? V	23.9 +/- 0.1	Gl 54 B, LHS 1208 B (Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
SIPS 1259-4336	M8 V	25.8 +/- 0.2	(Deacon et al, 2005; Ken Croswell, 2004; and unpublished correspondence from Todd Henry)
GJ 300	M3.5 V	26.0 +/- 0.2	(Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
SSSPM J1138-7722	M5.5 V	26 +/- 3	(Scholz et al, 2004)
SCR 1138-7721	M5.5 V	26.7 +/- 0.7	(Henry et al, 2006; Subasavage et al, 2005; Henry et al, 2004; and Hambly et al, 2004)
SCR 0838-5855	M? V	27~	(Finch et al, 2007)
SCR 0640-0552	M? V	27.7~	(Subasavage et al, 2005b)
G 089-032 AB	M5.0 V M5.0? V	28.0 +/- 0.2	Sep= 6.0 AUs (Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
G 19-7	M3.5 V	28.3 +/- 0.4	Flare star, LHS 3255, GJ 1207, L 988-42 (Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
SCR 0630-7643 AB	M6.0 V M6.0? V	28.6 +/- 0.5	Sep= 7.9 AUs (Henry et al, 2006; Subasavage et al, 2005; and Henry et al, 2004)
LHS 263	M4.5 V	29.4 +/- 0.5	GJ 1123 (Jao et al, 2005; Henry et al, 2004; and Henry et al, 2002)
LHS 532	M? V	29.7 +/- 4.6	GJ 1277 (Subasavage et al, 2005; and Henry et al, 2004)
SCR 1731-2452	M? V	30~	(Boyd et al, 2011)
SCR 1826-6542	M? V	30~	(Finch et al, 2007)
LHS 2206	M4.5 V	30.1 +/- 0.7	(Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
WT 460	M5.5 V	30.4 +/- 0.4	(Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a; and Patterson et al, 1998)
LHS 1610	M4.5 V	32.1 +/- 0.7	G 6-39 (Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
SCR 1946-3214	M? V	32~	Very red (Boyd et al, 2011)
APMPM J0237-5928	M5.0 V	31.4 +/- 0.3	(Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
LP 647-013	M9.5 V	32.3 +/- 0.7	(Costa et al, 2005)
LHS 1302	M5.0 V	32.4 +/- 0.6	(Henry et al, 2006b; and Henry et al, 2006a)
SCR 0740-4257	M? V	32.6~	(Subasavage et al, 2005b)
Brown Dwarfs
WISE 1741+2732	T9 V	18.6 +/- 3.9	(Kirkpatrick et al, 2011, Table 7)
WISEPC J045853.90+643451.9	T9 V	18 - 30	(Mainzer et al, 2010)
SIMP J013656.5093347	T2-3 V	20.9 +/-1.0	(Artigau et al, 2006)
WISE 0254-0223	T8 V	21.46 +/- 6.0	(Kirkpatrick et al, 2011, Table 7)
SDSS J1416+13 a	L6 V	25.7 +/- 5.5	Binary, (Bowler et al, 2010)
SDSS J1416+13 b	T(-Y?) V	25.7 +/- 5.5	Binary, (Burgasser et al, 2010; R.-D. Scholz, 2010; Burningham et al, 2010, and Schmidt et al, 2010)
2MASS J00361617+1821104	L3.5 V	28.6 +/- 0.2	(Reid et al, 2000)
CFBDS J005910.90-011401.3	T9 V	28.7-31.3	(Marocco et al, 2010; and Delorme et al, 2008)
2MASS 0727+1710	T7 V	29.6~	(Burgasser et al, 2002; and Liebert et al, 2002)
WISE 1647+5632	L9 Vp	30.0 +/- 7.5	(Kirkpatrick et al, 2011, Table 7)
ULAS J133553.45+113005.2	T9 V	32.6 - 34.6	(Marocco et al, 2010; and Burningham et al, 2008)
2MASS 0559-1404	T5 V	33.4 +/- 0.4	(Burgasser et al, 2000; and Liebert et al, 2002)
2MASS 1237+6526	T6.5 Ve	34.0 +1.8/- 1.6	(Burgasser et al, 1999; and Liebert et al, 2002)
2MASS J08251968+2115521	L7.5 V	34.4 +/- 0.4	(Kirkpatrick et al, 2000)
2MASS J10475385+2124234	T7 V	34.4 +/1.3/-1.4	(Burgasser et al, 2000; Burgasser et al, 1999; and Liebert et al, 2002)
2MASS J02431371-2453298	T6 V	34.8 +1.3/-1.4	(Burgasser et al, 2002; and Liebert et al, 2002)
White Dwarfs
LHS 145	DA7	30.3	(Henry et al, 2004)
SCR 0821-6703	D?	35.6 +/- 2.2	(Subasavage et al, 2005)

Older Discovery News

In June 2007, astronomers associated with the SuperCOSMOS-RECONS (SCR) proper motion survey published a paper that identified two new, late red dwarf candidates (SCR 0838-5855 and SCR 1826-6542) as being located within 10 parsecs (pc), or 32.6 light-years (ly), of Sol -- as well as 29 more red dwarf and 33 white dwarf systems (which were cited in a second paper) that are likely to be farther away (Finch et al, 2007; and Subasavage et al, 2007).

On November 14, 2006, a team of astronomers associated with the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory Parallax Investigation (CTIOPI), a research program of the the Research Consortium on Nearby Stars (RECONS), announced their identification of 20 new stars located within 10 parsecs (pc), or 32.6 light-years (ly), of Sol (NOAO press release; and Henry et al, 2006b). This was an update of a July 2006 announcement (Henry et al, 2006a). While some stars were added to the 10-pc list, other stars and brown dwarfs were found to be farther away than previously measured. At least 15 red dwarfs in eight star systems were added to the 20 to 32.6 ly list.

Zina Deretsky,
NSF, NOAO

Larger illustration.

The binary red dwarf
system SCR 0630-7643
was recently found
to be located within
10 parsecs (more).

In June 2005, the SuperCOSMOS-RECONS (SCR) proper motion survey reported finding two new probable red dwarf candidates (SCR 0640-0552 and SCR 0740-4257) that may lie within 10 parsecs (32.6 light-years) of Sol in the southern sky (Subasavage et al, 2005b).

In Spring 2005, CITOPI-RECONS reported finding a new red dwarf candidate (LP 647-013) in the southern sky within the 10-parsec Solar neighborhood (Costa et al, 2005).

In February 2005, CTIOPI reported new trigonometric parallaxes for high proper-motion, celestial objects in the southern sky (Jao et al, 2005).

Other Information

Up-to-date technical summaries on these stars may become available at: the Research Consortium on Nearby Stars (RECONS) list of the 100 Nearest Star Systems, the NASA Star and Exoplanet Database, and the SIMBAD Astronomical Database. New research papers on these stars may eventually become available at the SAO/NASA ADS.

For more information about stars including spectral and luminosity class codes, go to ChView's webpage on The Stars of the Milky Way.

Note: Thanks to Rob Pierce for notifying us of updated information on SIPS 1259-4336.