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Title: Exploring the Extremes: Characterizing a New Population of Old and Cold Brown Dwarfs
Abstract

Mapping out the populations of thick disk and halo brown dwarfs is important for understanding the metallicity dependence of low-temperature atmospheres and the substellar mass function. Recently, a new population of cold and metal-poor brown dwarfs has been discovered, withTeff≲ 1400 K and metallicity ≲−1 dex. This population includes what may be the first known “extreme T-type subdwarfs” and possibly the first Y-type subdwarf, WISEA J153429.75−104303.3. We have conducted a GeminiYJHK/Ksphotometric follow-up campaign targeting potentially metal-poor T and Y dwarfs, utilizing the GNIRS and Flamingos-2 instruments. We present 14 near-infrared photometric detections of eight unique targets: six T subdwarf candidates, one moderately metal-poor Y dwarf candidate, and one Y subdwarf candidate. We have obtained the first-ever ground-based detection of the highly anomalous object WISEA J153429.75−104303.3. The F110W −Jcolor of WISEA J153429.75−104303.3 is significantly bluer than that of other late T and Y dwarfs, indicating that WISEA J153429.75−104303.3 has an unusual spectrum in the 0.9–1.4μm wavelength range which encompasses theJ-band peak. OurJ-band detection of WISEA J153429.75−104303.3 and corresponding model comparisons suggest a subsolar metallicity and temperature of 400–550 K for this object. JWST spectroscopic follow-up at near-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths would allow us to better understand the spectral peculiarities of WISEA J153429.75−104303.3, assess its physical properties, and conclusively determine whether or not it is the first Y-type subdwarf.

 
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NSF-PAR ID:
10431350
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
DOI PREFIX: 10.3847
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Astronomical Journal
Volume:
166
Issue:
2
ISSN:
0004-6256
Page Range / eLocation ID:
Article No. 57
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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