[en] We present new 0.9–2.45 μm spectroscopy ($R\sim <!--\; ???\; -->1000$ ), and Y, J, H, K_s, $L^{\mathrm{\prime <!--\; ???\; -->}}$ photometry, obtained at Gemini North, of three low-mass brown dwarf companions on wide orbits around young stars of the Upper Scorpius OB association: HIP 78530 B, [PGZ 2001] J161031.9-191305 B, and GSC 06214-00210 B. We use these data to assess the companions’ spectral type, temperature, surface gravity, and mass, as well as the ability of the BT-SETTL and Drift-Phoenix atmosphere models to reproduce the spectral features of young substellar objects. For completeness, we also analyze the archival spectroscopy and photometry of the Upper Scorpius planetary mass companion 1RXS J160929.1-210524 b. Based on a comparison with model spectra we find that the companions, in the above order, have effective temperatures of 2700 ± 100, 2500 ± 200, 2300 ± 100, and 1700 ± 100 K. These temperatures are consistent with our inferred spectral types, respectively M7 β, M9 γ, M9 γ, and L4 γ, obtained from spectral indices and comparisons with templates. From bolometric luminosities estimated from atmosphere model spectra adjusted to our photometry, and using evolution models at 5–10 Myr, we estimate masses of 21–25, 28–70, 14–17, and 7–12 M_Jup, respectively. [PGZ 2001] J161031.9-191305 B appears significantly overluminous for its inferred temperature, which explains its higher mass estimate. Synthetic spectra based on the BT-Settl and Drift-Phoenix atmosphere models generally offer a good fit to our observed spectra, although our analysis has highlighted a few problems. For example, the best fits in the individual near-infrared bands occur at different model temperatures. Also, temperature estimates based on a comparison of the broadband magnitudes and colors of the companions to synthetic magnitudes from the models are systematically lower than the temperature estimates based on a comparison with synthetic spectra.

[en] Red optical and near-infrared spectroscopy are presented for SDSS J125637.13-022452.4, one of only four L subdwarfs reported to date. These data confirm the low-temperature, metal-poor nature of this source, as indicated by prominent metal-hydride bands, alkali lines, and collision-induced H₂ absorption. The optical and near-infrared spectra of SDSS J1256-0224 are similar to those of the sdL4 2MASS J16262034+3925190, and we derive a classification of sdL3.5 based on the preliminary scheme of Burgasser, Cruz, and Kirkpatrick. The kinematics of SDSS J1256-0224 are consistent with membership in the Galactic inner halo, with estimated UVW space velocities indicating a slightly prograde, eccentric, and inclined Galactic orbit (3.5 ∼< R ∼< 11 kpc; |Z _max| = 7.5 kpc). Comparison to synthetic spectra computed with the PHOENIX code, including the recent implementation of kinetic condensate formation (DRIFT-PHOENIX), indicates T _eff ∼ 2100-2500 K and [M/H] ∼ -1.5 to -1.0 for log g ∼ 5.0-5.5 (cgs), although there are clear discrepancies between model and observed spectra particularly in the red optical region. As such, any conclusions on the role of metallicity in condensate grain and cloud formation are probably premature. Indeed, a shift in the temperature scale of L subdwarfs relative to L dwarfs may obviate the need for modified condensate and grain chemistry in low metallicity atmospheres.

[en] We present a systematic study of the physical properties of late-M dwarfs based on high-quality dynamical mass measurements and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. We use astrometry from Keck natural and laser guide star adaptive optics imaging to determine orbits for the late-M binaries LP 349 - 25AB (M7.5+M8), LHS 1901AB (M6.5+M6.5), and Gl 569Bab (M8.5+M9). We find that LP 349 - 25AB (M_tot = 0.120^+0.008_-0.007 M_sun) is a pair of young brown dwarfs for which Lyon and Tucson evolutionary models jointly predict an age of 140 ± 30 Myr, consistent with the age of the Pleiades. However, at least the primary component seems to defy the empirical Pleiades lithium depletion boundary, implying that the system is in fact older (if the parallax is correct) and that evolutionary models under-predict the component luminosities for this magnetically active binary. We find that LHS 1901AB is a pair of very low-mass stars (M_tot = 0.194^+0.025_-0.021 M_sun) with evolutionary model-derived ages consistent with the old age (>6 Gyr) implied by its lack of activity. Our improved orbit for Gl 569Bab results in a higher mass for this binary (M_tot = 0.140^+0.009_-0.008 M_sun) compared to previous work (0.125 ± 0.007 M_sun). We use these mass measurements along with our published results for 2MASS J2206 - 2047AB (M8+M8) to test four sets of ultracool model atmospheres currently in use. Fitting these models to our NIR integrated-light spectra provides temperature estimates warmer by ∼250 K than those derived independently from Dusty evolutionary models given the measured masses and luminosities. We propose that model atmospheres are more likely to be the source of this discrepancy, as it would be difficult to explain a uniform temperature offset over such a wide range of masses, ages, and activity levels in the context of evolutionary models. This contrasts with the conclusion of Konopacky et al. that model-predicted masses (given input T_eff and L_bol) are at fault for differences between theory and observations. In addition, we find an opposite (and smaller) mass discrepancy from what they report when we adopt their model-testing approach: masses are too high rather than too low because our T_eff estimates derived from fitting NIR spectra are ∼650 K higher than their values from fitting broadband photometry alone.

[en] We present the discovery of a substellar companion on a wide orbit around the ∼ 2.5 M_sun star HIP 78530, which is a member of the 5 Myr old Upper Scorpius association. We have obtained follow-up imaging over two years and show that the companion and primary share common proper motion. We have also obtained JHK spectroscopy of the companion and confirm its low surface gravity, in accordance with the young age of the system. A comparison with DRIFT-PHOENIX synthetic spectra indicates an effective temperature of 2800 ± 200 K and a comparison with template spectra of young and old dwarfs indicates a spectral type of M8 ± 1. The mass of the companion is estimated to be 19-26 M_Jup based on its bolometric luminosity and the predictions of evolutionary models. The angular separation of the companion is 4.''5, which at the distance of the primary star, 156.7 pc, corresponds to a projected separation of ∼710 AU. This companion features one of the lowest mass ratios (∼0.009) of any known companion at separations greater than 100 AU.