Mid-infrared imaging of brown dwarfs in binary systems

Abstract

Context: Brown dwarfs exhibit complex atmospheric signatures, and their properties depend sensitively on effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity. Several physical properties of brown dwarfs in binary systems can be well inferred from the primary, and therefore allow to better constrain their atmospheres. Aims: We want to constrain atmospheric models of brown dwarfs in binary systems using narrow-band mid-infrared photometry. Methods: High spatial resolution and sensitivity is required to resolve the components. Therefore we have obtained deep mid-infrared images of four close binary systems with brown dwarf companions using VISIR at the VLT in three narrow-band filters at 8.6, 10.5 and 11.25 micron. Results: Three brown dwarfs companions (GJ 229B, HD 130948BC and HR 7329B) were detected at 8.6micron. HD 130948BC was also observed at 10.5micron. We finally place upper flux limits for the other narrow band filters with null detections. Conclusions: Our results are in general compatible with previous observations and model expectations for these objects. For HD 130948BC, we conclude photometric variability on a significance level of 2.8sigma based on repeated observations. The bandpass around 10.5micron appears specifically well suited for variability studies, and we speculate that either inhomogeneities in the atmospheric NH3 distribution, or silicate absorption might cause its time-variability.