https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20111606004
A search for southern ultracool dwarfs in young moving groups
1 Centre For Astrophysics Research, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK
2 Department of Astronomy, Universidad de Chile, Casilla Postal 36D, Santiago, Chile
3 Department of Astrophysics, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, PO Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
4 Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
5 Yunnan Observatory, PO Box 110, CAS, 650011 Kunming, P.R. China
a e-mail: j.r.a.clarke@herts.ac.uk
We have constructed an 800-strong red object catalogue by cross-referencing optical and infrared catalogues with an extensive proper motion catalogue compiled for red objects in the southern sky to obtain proper motions. We have applied astrometric and photometric constraints to the catalogue in order to select ultracool dwarf moving group candidates. 132 objects were found to be candidates of a moving group. From this candidate list we present initial results. Using spectroscopy we have obtained reliable spectral types and space motions, and by association with moving groups we can infer an age and composition. the further study of the remainder of our candidates will provide a large sample of young brown dwarfs and confirmed members will provide benchmark ultracool dwarfs. These will make suitable targets of AO planet searches.
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2011
