1. A Novel Survey for Young Substellar Objects with the W-band Filter. VII. Water-bearing Objects in the Core of the ρ Ophiuchi Cloud Complex
- Author
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Tanvi Sharma, Wen Ping Chen, Beth Biller, Loïc Albert, Belinda Damian, Jessy Jose, Bhavana Lalchand, Michael C. Liu, and Yumiko Oasa
- Subjects
Star formation ,Brown dwarfs ,Circumstellar disks ,Accretion ,Young stellar objects ,Astrophysics ,QB460-466 - Abstract
We present a study of very low mass stars and brown dwarfs in the rich star-forming core of the ρ Ophiuchi cloud complex. The selection of the sample relies on detecting the inherent water absorption characteristic in young substellar objects. Of the 22 water-bearing candidates selected, 15 have a spectral type of M6 or later. Brown dwarf candidates too faint for membership determination by Gaia have their proper motions derived by deep-infrared images spanning 6 yr. Astrometric analysis confirms 21/22 sources as members, with one identified as a contaminant. Infrared colors and the spectral energy distribution of each water-bearing candidate are used to diagnose the mass, age, and possible existence of circumstellar dust. A total of 15 sources exhibit evidence of disks in their spectral energy distributions, as late as in M8-type objects. Spectroscopy for bright candidates has confirmed one as an M8 member and verified two sources (with disks) exhibiting signatures of magnetospheric accretion.
- Published
- 2025
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