Recent results from the new generation of wide-field near-infrared sky surveys have allowed the first reliable determination of the mass distribution of brown dwarfs. The observed surface density of L and T dwarfs favours a relatively flat mass function, Implying that such objects are extremely unlikely candidates for baryonic dark matter. We also present preliminary analysis of starcounts from CCD imaging in several fields centred on Kapteyn Selected Areas, and discuss the inferred density laws.
机构:
S AFRICAN INST MED RES,MRC,HUMAN BIOCHEM RES UNIT,JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICAS AFRICAN INST MED RES,MRC,HUMAN BIOCHEM RES UNIT,JOHANNESBURG,SOUTH AFRICA