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We present the first scattered-light images of the debris disk around 49 ceti, a ~40 Myr A1 main sequence star at 59 pc, famous for hosting two massive dust belts as well as large quantities of atomic and molecular gas. The outer disk is revealed in reprocessed archival Hubble Space Telescope NICMOS F110W images, as well as new coronagraphic H band images from the Very Large Telescope SPHERE instrument. The disk extends from 1.1" (65 AU) to 4.6" (250 AU), and is seen at an inclination of 73degr, which refines previous measurements at lower angular resolution. We also report no companion detection larger than 3 M_Jup at projected separations beyond 20 AU from the star (0.34"). Comparison between the F110W and H-band images is consistent with a grey color of 49 ceti's dust, indicating grains larger than >2microns. Our photometric measurements indicate a scattering efficiency / infrared excess ratio of 0.2-0.4, relatively low compared to other characterized debris disks. We find that 49 ceti presents morphological and scattering properties very similar to the gas-rich HD 131835 system. From our constraint on the disk inclination we find that the atomic gas previously detected in absorption must extend to the inner disk, and that the latter must be depleted of CO gas. Building on previous studies, we propose a schematic view of the system describing the dust and gas structure around 49 ceti and hypothetic scenarios for the gas nature and origin., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJL. 7 pages, 4 figures

[ABRIDGED] We present the first resolved images of the debris disk around the nearby K dwarf HD 92945. Our F606W (V) and F814W (I) HST/ACS coronagraphic images reveal an inclined, axisymmetric disk consisting of an inner ring 2".0-3".0 (43-65 AU) from the star and an extended outer disk whose surface brightness declines slowly with increasing radius 3".0-5".1 (65-110 AU) from the star. A precipitous drop in the surface brightness beyond 110 AU suggests that the outer disk is truncated at that distance. The radial surface-density profile is peaked at both the inner ring and the outer edge of the disk. The dust in the outer disk scatters neutrally but isotropically, and it has a low V-band albedo of 0.1. We also present new Spitzer MIPS photometry and IRS spectra of HD 92945. These data reveal no infrared excess from the disk shortward of 30 micron and constrain the width of the 70 micron source to < 180 AU. Assuming the dust comprises compact grains of astronomical silicate with a surface-density profile described by our scattered-light model of the disk, we successfully model the 24-350 micron emission with a minimum grain size of a_min = 4.5 micron and a size distribution proportional to a^-3.7 throughout the disk, but with a maximum grain size of 900 micron in the inner ring and 50 micron in the outer disk. Our observations indicate a total dust mass of ~0.001 M_earth. However, they provide contradictory evidence of the dust's physical characteristics: its neutral V-I color and lack of 24 micron emission imply grains larger than a few microns, but its isotropic scattering and low albedo suggest a large population of submicron-sized grains. The dynamical causes of the disk's morphology are unclear, but recent models of dust creation and transport in the presence of migrating planets indicate an advanced state of planet formation around HD 92945., Comment: 29 pages, 10 figures; to be published in The Astronomical Journal

M band spectra of two late-type T dwarfs, 2MASS J09373487+2931409, and Gliese 570D, confirm evidence from photometry that photospheric CO is present at abundance levels far in excess of those predicted from chemical equilibrium. These new and unambiguous detections of CO, together with an earlier spectroscopic detection of CO in Gliese 229B and existing M band photometry of a large selection of T dwarfs, suggest that vertical mixing in the photosphere drives the CO abundance out of chemical equilibrium and is a common, and likely universal feature of mid-to-late type T dwarfs. The M band spectra allow determinations of the time scale of vertical mixing in the atmosphere of each object, the first such measurements of this important parameter in late T dwarfs. A detailed analysis of the spectral energy distribution of 2MASS J09373487+2931409 results in the following values for metallicity, temperature, surface gravity, and luminosity: [M/H]~-0.3, T_eff=925-975K, log g=5.20-5.47, log L/L_sun=-5.308 +/- 0.027. The age is 3-10 Gyr and the mass is in the range 45-69 M_Jup., Comment: 36 pages incl. 12 figures and 3 tables, accepted by ApJ

We use new and published near-IR spectra, with synthetic spectra, to derive physical properties of three of the latest-type T dwarfs. A new R~1700 spectrum of the T7.5 dwarf HD 3651B, with existing data, allows a detailed comparison to the well-studied and very similar dwarf, Gl 570D. We find that HD 3651B has both higher gravity and metallicity than Gl 570D, with Teff=820-830K, log g= 5.4-5.5, [m/H]= +0.2 and Kzz=10^4cm^2/s. Its age is 8-12 Gyr and its implied mass is 60-70 M_Jup. We perform a similar analyis of the T8 and T7.5 dwarfs 2MASS J09393548-2448279 and 2MASS J11145133-2618235 using published data, comparing them to the well-studied T8, 2MASS J04151954-0935066. We find that the two dwarfs have the same Teff as the reference dwarf, and similar gravities, but lower metallicities. The parameters are Teff=725-775K and [m/H]= -0.3; log g=5.3-5.45 for 2MASS J09393548-2448279 and log g=5.0-5.3 for 2MASS J11145133- 261823. The age and mass are ~10Gyr and 60M_Jup for 2MASS J09393548-2448279, and ~5 Gyr and 40M_Jup for 2MASS J11145133-261823. A serious limitation is the incompleteness of the line lists of CH4 and NH3 at lambda <1.7um. Spectra of Saturn and Jupiter, and of laboratory CH4 and NH3 gas, suggest that NH3 features in the Y- and J-bands may be useful as indicators of the next cooler spectral type, and not features in the H- and K-bands as previously thought. However large uncertainties remain, as the abundance of NH3 is likely to be significantly below the chemical equilibrium value, and inclusion of laboratory NH3 opacities predicts band shapes that are discrepant with existing data. It is possible that the T spectral class will have to be extended to low temperatures around 400K, when water clouds condense in the atmosphere [abridged]., Comment: 34 pages including 10 figures and two tables; accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

We present ACS/HST coronagraphic observations of HD 100546, a B9.5 star, 103 pc away from the sun, taken in the F435W, F606W, and F814W bands. Scattered light is detected up to 14'' from the star. The observations are consistent with the presence of an extended flattened nebula with the same inclination as the inner disk. The well-known ``spiral arms'' are clearly observed and they trail the rotating disk material. Weaker arms never before reported are also seen. The inter-arm space becomes brighter, but the structures become more neutral in color at longer wavelengths, which is not consistent with models that assume that they are due to the effects of a warped disk. Along the major disk axis, the colors of the scattered-light relative to the star are \Delta (F435W-F606W) ~ 0.0--0.2 mags and \Delta (F435W-F814W)~0.5--1 mags. To explain these colors, we explore the role of asymmetric scattering, reddening, and large minimum sizes on ISM-like grains. We conclude each of these hypotheses by itself cannot explain the colors. The disk colors are similar to those derived for Kuiper Belt objects, suggesting that the same processes responsible for their colors may be at work here. We argue that we are observing only the geometrically thick, optically thin envelope of the disk, while the optically thick disk responsible for the far-IR emission is undetected. The observed spiral arms are then structures on this envelope. The colors indicate that the extended nebulosity is not a remnant of the infalling envelope but reprocessed disk material., Comment: Accepted to ApJ

We present new infrared spectra of the T8 brown dwarf 2MASS J04151954-0935066: 2.9-4.1 micron spectra obtained with the Infrared Camera and Spectrograph on the Subaru Telescope, and 5.2-14.5 micron spectra obtained with the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope. We use these data and models to determine an accurate bolometric luminosity of log L_bol/L_sun=-5.67 and to constrain the effective temperature, gravity, mass and age to 725-775K, log g=5.00-5.37, M=33-58 M_Jupiter and age=3-10Gyr. We perform the same analysis using published 0.6-15 micron spectra for the T7.5 dwarf 2MASS J12171110-0311131, for which we find a metal-rich composition ([Fe/H]~0.3) and log L_bol/L_sun=-5.31, T_eff=850-950K, log g=4.80-5.42, M=25-66M_Jupiter and age=1-10Gyr. These luminosities and effective temperatures straddle those determined with the same method and models for Gl 570D by Saumon et al. (2006) and make 2MASS J04151954-0935066 the coolest and least luminous T dwarf with well-determined properties. We find that synthetic spectra generated by the models reproduce the observed red through mid-infrared spectra of 2MASS J04151954-0935066 and 2MASS J12171110-0311131 very well, except for known discrepancies which are most likely due to the incomplete CH4 opacities. Both objects show evidence of departures from strict chemical equilibrium and we discuss this result in the context of other late T dwarfs where disequilibrium phenomena have been observed., Comment: Accepted for publication in the Ap. J. 35 pages, including 12 figures (10 in color)

We present new L' (3.75 um) photometry of six L and T dwarfs, and M' (4.70 um) photometry of ten L and T dwarfs, observed at Gemini Observatory, and new 3.55, 4.49, 5.73 and 7.87 um photometry of nine L and T dwarfs, obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The sample includes unusually blue and red dwarfs from our near-infrared studies. The data are combined with published L', M' and Spitzer photometry of L and T dwarfs, and trends of colors with spectral type and other colors are examined. Model atmospheres by Marley and Saumon are used to generate synthetic colors for ranges of effective temperature, gravity, grain sedimentation efficiency, metallicity and vertical mixing efficiency. We explore how these parameters affect the mid-infrared colors of L and T dwarfs and find that the data are modelled satisfactorily only if substantial vertical mixing occurs in both L- and T-dwarf atmospheres. The location and range of the L and T dwarf sequences in IRAC color-color and color - magnitude diagrams is also only reproduced if this mixing occurs, with a range of efficiency described by K_zz ~ 10^2-10^6 cm^2/s. The colors of the unusually red dwarfs are best reproduced by non-equilibrium models with low sedimentation efficiency, i.e. thick cloud decks, and those of the unusually blue dwarfs by non-equilibrium models with high sedimentation efficiency, i.e. thin cloud decks. The K-L' and Spitzer [3.55]-[4.49] colors can be used as indicators of effective temperature for L and T dwarfs, but care must be taken to include gravity and metallicity effects for late-T dwarfs and vertical mixing for both late-L and T dwarfs., Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal; 21 pages, 8 Figures, 3 Tables

(Abridged.) We present F435W (B), F606W (Broad V), and F814W (Broad I) coronagraphic images of the debris disk around Beta Pictoris obtained with HST's Advanced Camera for Surveys. We confirm that the previously reported warp in the inner disk is a distinct secondary disk inclined by ~5 deg from the main disk. The main disk's northeast extension is linear from 80 to 250 AU, but the southwest extension is distinctly bowed with an amplitude of ~1 AU over the same region. Both extensions of the secondary disk appear linear, but not collinear, from 80 to 150 AU. Within ~120 AU of the star, the main disk is ~50% thinner than previously reported. The surface-brightness profiles along the spine of the main disk are fitted with four distinct radial power laws between 40 and 250 AU, while those of the secondary disk between 80 and 150 AU are fitted with single power laws. These discrepancies suggest that the two disks have different grain compositions or size distributions. The F606W/F435W and F814W/F435W flux ratios of the composite disk are nonuniform and asymmetric about both projected axes of the disk. Within ~120 AU, the m_F435W-m_F606W and m_F435W-m_F814W colors along the spine of the main disk are ~10% and ~20% redder, respectively, than those of Beta Pic. These colors increasingly redden beyond ~120 AU, becoming 25% and 40% redder, respectively, than the star at 250 AU. We compare the observed red colors within ~120 AU with the simulated colors of non-icy grains having a radial number density ~r^-3 and different compositions, porosities, and minimum grain sizes. The observed colors are consistent with those of compact or moderately porous grains of astronomical silicate and/or graphite with sizes >0.15-0.20 um, but the colors are inconsistent with the blue colors expected from grains with porosities >90%., Comment: 38 pages (including 21 figures and 4 tables) in EmulateApJ format, accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal. Full-resolution figures and fully processed FITS images (with error maps) are available at http://acs.pha.jhu.edu/~dag/betapic Version 2: Added 4 references and some clarifying text. Basic facts and conclusions are unchanged

We present near-infrared observations of 71 newly discovered L and T dwarfs, selected from imaging data of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) using the i-dropout technique. Sixty-five of these dwarfs have been classified spectroscopically according to the near-infrared L dwarf classification scheme of Geballe et al. and the unified T dwarf classification scheme of Burgasser et al. The spectral types of these dwarfs range from L3 to T7, and include the latest types yet found in the SDSS. Six of the newly identified dwarfs are classified as early- to mid-L dwarfs according to their photometric near-infrared colors, and two others are classified photometrically as M dwarfs. We also present new near-infrared spectra for five previously published SDSS L and T dwarfs, and one L dwarf and one T dwarf discovered by Burgasser et al. from the Two Micron All Sky Survey. The new SDSS sample includes 27 T dwarfs and 30 dwarfs with spectral types spanning the complex L-T transition (L7-T3). We continue to see a large (~0.5 mag) spread in J-H for L3 to T1 types, and a similar spread in H-K for all dwarfs later than L3. This color dispersion is probably due to a range of grain sedimentation properties, metallicity, and gravity. We also find L and T dwarfs with unusual colors and spectral properties that may eventually help to disentangle these effects., Comment: accepted by AJ, 18 pages, 10 figures, 5 tables, emulateapj layout

A five square arcminute region around the luminous radio-loud quasar SDSS J0836+0054 (z=5.8) hosts a wealth of associated galaxies, characterized by very red (1.3 < i_775 - z_{850} < 2.0) color. The surface density of these z~5.8 candidates is approximately six times higher than the number expected from deep ACS fields. This is one of the highest galaxy overdensities at high redshifts, which may develop into a group or cluster. We also find evidence for a substructure associated with one of the candidates. It has two very faint companion objects within two arcseconds, which are likely to merge. The finding supports the results of a recent simulation that luminous quasars at high redshifts lie on the most prominent dark-matter filaments and are surrounded by many fainter galaxies. The quasar activity from these regions may signal the buildup of a massive system., Comment: Four figures. The Astrophysical Journal: in press

Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys images of the young binary GG Tauri and its circumbinary disk in V and I bandpasses were obtained in 2002 and are the most detailed of this system to date. The confirm features previously seen in the disk including: a "gap" apparently caused by shadowing from circumstellar material; an asymmetrical distribution of light about the line of sight on the near edge of the disk; enhanced brightness along the near edge of the disk due to forward scattering; and a compact reflection nebula near the secondary star. New features are seen in the ACS images: two short filaments along the disk; localized but strong variations in disk intensity ("gaplets"); and a "spur" or filament extending from the reflection nebulosity near the secondary. The back side of the disk is detected in the V band for the first time. The disk appears redder than the combined light from the stars, which may be explained by a varied distribution of grain sizes. The brightness asymmetries along the disk suggest that it is asymmetrically illuminated by the stars due to extinction by nonuniform circumstellar material or the illuminated surface of the disk is warped by tidal effects (or perhaps both). Localized, time-dependent brightness variations in the disk are also seen., Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal

We study the dynamical origin of the structures observed in the scattered-light images of the resolved debris disk around HD 141569A. We explore the roles of radiation pressure from the central star, gas drag from the gas disk, and the tidal forces from two nearby stars in creating and maintaining these structures. We use a simple one-dimensional axisymmetric model to show that the presence of the gas helps confine the dust and that a broad ring of dust is produced if a central hole exists in the disk. This model also suggests that the disk is in a transient, excited dynamical state, as the observed dust creation rate applied over the age of the star is inconsistent with submillimeter mass measurements. We model in two dimensions the effects of a fly-by encounter between the disk and a binary star in a prograde, parabolic, coplanar orbit. We track the spatial distribution of the disk's gas, planetesimals, and dust. We conclude that the surface density distribution reflects the planetesimal distribution for a wide range of parameters. Our most viable model features a disk of initial radius 400 AU, a gas mass of 50 M_earth, and beta = 4 and suggests that the system is being observed within 4000 yr of the fly-by periastron. The model reproduces some features of HD 141569A's disk, such as a broad single ring and large spiral arms, but it does not reproduce the observed multiple spiral rings or disk asymmetries nor the observed clearing in the inner disk. For the latter, we consider the effect of a 5 M_Jup planet in an eccentric orbit on the planetesimal distribution of HD 141569A., Comment: Accepted to ApJ

We present new measurements of the galaxy luminosity function (LF) and its dependence on local galaxy density, color, morphology, and clustocentric radius for the massive z=0.83 cluster MS1054-0321. Our analyses are based on imaging performed with the ACS onboard the HST in the F606W, F775W and F850LP passbands and extensive spectroscopic data obtained with the Keck LRIS. Our main results are based on a spectroscopically selected sample of 143 cluster members with morphological classifications derived from the ACS observations. Our three primary findings are (1) the faint-end slope of the LF is steepest in the bluest filter, (2) the LF in the inner part of the cluster (or highest density regions) has a flatter faint-end slope, and (3) the fraction of early-type galaxies is higher at the bright end of the LF, and gradually decreases toward fainter magnitudes. These characteristics are consistent with those in local galaxy clusters, indicating that, at least in massive clusters, the common characteristics of cluster LFs are established at z=0.83. We also find a 2sigma deficit of intrinsically faint, red galaxies (i-z>0.5, Mi>-19) in this cluster. This trend may suggest that faint, red galaxies (which are common in z<0.1 rich clusters) have not yet been created in this cluster at z=0.83. The giant-to-dwarf ratio in MS1054-0321 starts to increase inwards of the virial radius or when Sigma>30 Mpc^-2, coinciding with the environment where the galaxy star formation rate and the morphology-density relation start to appear. (abridged), Comment: ApJ in press, references updated

We present resolved scattered-light images of the debris disk around HD 107146, a G2 star 28.5 pc from the Sun. This is the first debris disk to be resolved in scattered light around a solar-type star. We observed it with the HST/ACS coronagraph, using a 1.8'' occulting spot and the F606W (broad V) and F814W (broad I) filters. Within 2'' from the star, the image is dominated by PSF subtraction residuals. Outside this limit, the disk looks featureless except for a northeast-southwest brightness asymmetry that we attribute to forward scattering. The disk has scattered-light fractional luminosities of $(L_{Sca}/L_*)_{F606W}=6.8 \pm 0.8 \times 10^{-5}$ and $(L_{Sca}/L_*)_{F814W}=10 \pm 1 \times 10^{-5}$ and it is detected up to 6.5'' away from the star. To map the surface density of the disk, we deproject it by $25^\circ \pm 5^\circ$, divide by the dust scattering phase ($g_{F606W} = 0.3 \pm 0.1$, $g_{F814W} = 0.2 \pm 0.1$) and correct for the geometric dilution of starlight. Within the errors, the surface density has the same shape in each bandpass, and it appears to be a broad (85 AU) ring with most of the opacity concentrated at 130 AU. The ratio of the relative luminosity in F814W to that in F606W has the constant value of $1.3\pm0.3$, with the error dominated by uncertainties in the value of $g$ in each filter. An examination of far infrared and submillimeter measurements suggests the presence of small grains. The colors and the derived values of $g$ are consistent with the presence of dust particles smaller than the radiation pressure limit. The dust generated by the creation of a small planet or the scattering and circularization of a large one, are possible scenarios that may explain the shape of the surface density profile., Comment: To appear in ApJ Letters Figure 3 in the original version had the wrong vertical scale. In this version it has been replaced by the correct one

We present {\it Hubble Space Telescope} Advanced Camera for Surveys multicolor coronagraphic images of the recently discovered edge-on debris disk around the nearby ($\sim10$ pc) M dwarf AU Microscopii. The disk is seen between $r = $0\farcs 75 -- 15'' (7.5 -- 150 AU) from the star. It has a thin midplane with a projected full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) thickness of 2.5 -- 3.5 AU within $r < 50$ AU of the star that increases to 6.5 -- 9 AU at $r \sim 75$ AU. The disk's radial brightness profile is generally flat for $r < 15$ AU, then decreases gradually ($I \propto r^{-1.8}$) out to $r \approx 43$ AU, beyond which it falls rapidly ($I \propto r^{-4.7}$). Within 50 AU the midplane is straight and aligned with the star, and beyond that it deviates by $\sim3^{\circ}$, resulting in a bowed appearance that was also seen in ground-based images. Three-dimensional modelling of the disk shows that the inner region ($r < 50$ AU) is inclined to the line-of-sight by $<1^{\circ}$ and the outer disk by $\sim3^{\circ}$. The inclination of the outer disk and moderate forward scattering ($g \approx 0.4$) can explain the apparent bow. The intrinsic, deprojected FWHM thickness is 1.5 -- 10 AU, increasing with radius. The models indicate that the disk is clear of dust within $\sim12$ AU of the star, in general agreement with the previous prediction of 17 AU based on the infrared spectral energy distribution. The disk is blue, being 60% brighter at $B$ than $I$ relative to the star. One possible explanation for this is that there is a surplus of very small grains compared to other imaged debris disks that have more neutral or red colors. This may be due to the low radiation pressure exerted by the late-type star. Observations at two epochs show that an extended source seen along the midplane is a background galaxy., Comment: 11 figures

We present new JHKL'M' photometry on the MKO system for a large sample of L and T dwarfs identified from SDSS and 2MASS and classified according to the scheme of Geballe et al. (2002). We have compiled a sample of 105 L and T dwarfs that are uniformly classified and measured on a single photometric system. The scattered JHK spectral indices and colors of L dwarfs are likely caused by variations in the altitudes, distributions, and thicknesses of condensate clouds. Scatter in the H-K colors of late T dwarfs probably reflects the sensitivity of the K-band flux to pressure induced H_2 opacity, which itself is sensitive to surface gravity. The M' luminosities of late-T dwarfs are 1.5-2.5 times fainter than predicted under conditions of chemical equilibrium. We have computed L_bol and T_eff for 42 L and T dwarfs whose trigonometric parallaxes have been measured. We find that T_eff ~ 1450 K for types L7-T4, which supports recent models that attribute the changing JHK-band luminosities and spectral features across the L-T transition to rapid changes in the condensate clouds over a narrow range of T_eff. We compute T_eff = 600-750 K for 2MASS 0415-0935 (T9), which supplants Gl 570D as the coolest known brown dwarf., Comment: 4 pages, 8 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of the 13th Cool Stars Workshop, ESA Special Publications Series, 2005

We measure the luminosity function of morphologically selected E/S0 galaxies from $z=0.5$ to $z=1.0$ using deep high resolution Advanced Camera for Surveys imaging data. Our analysis covers an area of $48\Box\arcmin$ (8$\times$ the area of the HDF-N) and extends 2 magnitudes deeper ($I\sim24$ mag) than was possible in the Deep Groth Strip Survey (DGSS). At $0.51.7$, E/S0 galaxies at brighter luminosities ($M_B<-20.1$), but are increasingly different at fainter magnitudes where `blue' galaxies are both smaller and have lower Sersic parameters. Fits of the colors to stellar population models suggest that most E/S0 galaxies have short star-formation time scales ($\tau<1$ Gyr), and that galaxies have formed at an increasing rate from $z\sim8$ until $z\sim2$ after which there has been a gradual decline., Comment: 39 pages, 21 figures, accepted in AJ

We report the detections of low-mass companions to five M and L dwarfs within 10 pc of the Sun using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS). Follow-up observations using the HST Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Fine Guidance Sensor 1r (FGS1r) confirm our NICMOS discoveries of companions to the L4.5 dwarf GJ 1001B (LHS 102B) and the M5 dwarf LHS 224, respectively. Images obtained with the Astrophysical Research Consortium 3.5 m telescope at Apache Point Observatory verify our discovery of a companion to the M3 dwarf G 239-25. Our NICMOS images confirm the previously suspected duplicity of the M3 dwarfs GJ 54 and GJ 84. The components of GJ 1001BC and LHS 224AB have nearly equal luminosities in all the ACS and/or NICMOS bandpasses in which they were observed. The magnitudes of GJ 54A and B in one FGS1r bandpass and four NICMOS bandpasses differ by <~ 1. GJ 84B and G 239-25B are ~4 magnitudes fainter than their M3 companions in the NICMOS bandpasses. We estimate from our NICMOS photometry that GJ 84B and G 239-25B have spectral types M7 and M8, respectively, and masses near the lower limit for sustained hydrogen burning. The apparent separations of GJ 1001BC, GJ 54AB, and LHS 224AB suggest orbital periods less than 5 yr. These binary dwarfs are ideal candidates for continued astrometric monitoring that will quickly yield accurate dynamic masses needed to constrain the mass-luminosity relation for low-mass stars and brown dwarfs., Comment: 37 pages, including 7 tables and 7 figures, to be published in the October 2004 issue of The Astronomical Journal. Revised 10 August 2004 -- Added note in proof; revised footnote 13; updated references; made minor text changes to conform to journal proofs

The properties of Ultra Compact Dwarf (UCD) galaxy candidates in Abell 1689 (z=0.183) are investigated, based on deep high resolution ACS images. A UCD candidate has to be unresolved, have i<28 (M_V<-11.5) mag and satisfy color limits derived from Bayesian photometric redshifts. We find 160 UCD candidates with 2226.8 mag, the radial and luminosity distribution of the UCD candidates can be explained well by Abell 1689's globular cluster (GC) system. For i<26.8 mag, there is an overpopulation of 15 +/- 5 UCD candidates with respect to the GC luminosity function. For i<26 mag, the radial distribution of UCD candidates is more consistent with the dwarf galaxy population than with the GC system of Abell 1689. The UCD candidates follow a color-magnitude trend with a slope similar to that of Abell 1689's genuine dwarf galaxy population, but shifted fainter by about 2-3 mag. Two of the three brightest UCD candidates (M_V ~ -17 mag) are slightly resolved. At the distance of Abell 1689, these two objects would have King-profile core radii of ~35 pc and r_eff ~300 pc, implying luminosities and sizes 2-3 times those of M32's bulge. Additional photometric redshifts obtained with late type stellar and elliptical galaxy templates support the assignment of these two resolved sources to Abell 1689. Our findings imply that in Abell 1689 there are at least 10 UCDs with M_V<-12.7 mag. Compared to the UCDs in the Fornax cluster they are brighter, larger and have colors closer to normal dwarf galaxies. This suggests that they may be in an intermediate stage of the stripping process. Spectroscopy is needed to definitely confirm the existence of UCDs in Abell 1689., Comment: 29 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in the October 2004 issue of the Astronomical Journal

(Abridged) We study the internal color properties of a morphologically selected sample of spheroidal galaxies taken from HST/ACS ERO program of UGC 10214 (``The Tadpole''). By taking advantage of the unprecedented high resolution of the ACS in this very deep dataset we are able to characterize spheroids at sub-arcseconds scales. Using the V_606W and I_814W bands, we construct V-I color maps and extract color gradients for a sample of spheroids at I_814W < 24 mag. We investigate the existence of a population of morphologically classified spheroids which show extreme variation in their internal color properties similar to the ones reported in the HDFs. These are displayed as blue cores and inverse color gradients with respect to those accounted from metallicity variations. Following the same analysis we find a similar fraction of early-type systems (~30%-40%) that show non-homologous internal colors, suggestive of recent star formation activity. We present two statistics to quantify the internal color variation in galaxies and for tracing blue cores, from which we estimate the fraction of non-homogeneous to homogeneous internal colors as a function of redshift up to z<1.2. We find that it can be described as about constant as a function of redshift, with a small increase with redshift for the fraction of spheroids that present strong color dispersions. The implications of a constant fraction at all redshifts suggests the existence of a relatively permanent population of evolving spheroids up to z~1. We discuss the implications of this in the context of spheroidal formation., Comment: Fixed URL for high resolution version. 13 Pages, 10 Figures. Accepted for Publication in ApJ. Sep 1st issue. Higher resolution version and complete table3B at http://acs.pha.jhu.edu/~felipe/e-prints/Tadpole

We present JHK photometry and spectroscopy for a sample of newly identified L and T dwarfs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and known dwarfs from the SDSS and the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS). Spectral classification has been carried out using four infrared indices; we identify 9 new L8-9.5 dwarfs and 14 new T dwarfs from SDSS, including the latest SDSS dwarf yet found, the T7 SDSS J1758+4633. We classify 2MASS J0415-0935 as T9, the latest and coolest dwarf found to date. We combine these results with previously published data to produce a sample of 59 L dwarfs and 42 T dwarfs. We compare the near-IR colors and absolute magnitudes of dwarfs near the L-T transition with predictions made by models of the distribution and evolution of photospheric condensates. There is scatter in the spectral indices for L dwarfs, suggesting that these indices are probing different levels of the atmosphere. The near-IR colors of the L dwarfs also scatter, likely due to variations in the altitudes, spatial distributions and thicknesses of the condensate clouds. We identify a group of late L dwarfs that are blue for their spectral type and that have enhanced FeH, H2O and KI absorption, possibly due to an unusually small amount of condensates. The scatter seen in the H-K color for late T dwarfs can be reproduced by models with a range in surface gravity. The variation is probably due to the effect on the K-band flux of pressure-induced H2 opacity. The correlation of H-K color with gravity is supported by the strengths of the J-band KI doublet. Gravity is closely related to mass for field T dwarfs and the gravities implied by the H-K colors indicate that the T dwarfs in our sample have masses in the range 15-75 M_Jupiter, except for SDSS J1110+0116 which possibly has a mass of 10-15 M_Jupiter., Comment: 59 pages includes 12 Tables and 9 Figures, Figure 1a&b as jpgs under postscript format option for astroph. Accepted for publication in AJ to appear June 2004. Version 2 has a coordinate error corrected in Table 9. Version 3 has corrected indices and spectral type (T5.5) for SDSS1110

We have compiled L' and M' photometry of 63 single and binary M, L,and T dwarfs obtained at UKIRT using the MKO filter set. This compilation includes new L' data for 8 L dwarfs and 13 T dwarfs and new M' data for 7 L dwarfs, 5 T dwarfs, and Gl 229A. We compute L_bol, BC_K, and T_eff for 42 dwarfs whose flux-calibrated JHK spectra, L' photometry, and trigonometric parallaxes are available, and we estimate these quantities for 9 other dwarfs whose parallaxes and flux-calibrated spectra have been obtained. BC_K is a well-behaved function of near-IR spectral type with a dispersion of ~0.1 mag for types M6-T5; it is significantly more scattered for types T5-T9. T_eff declines steeply and monotonically for types M6-L7 and T4-T9, but is nearly constant at ~1450 K for types L7-T4 with assumed ages of ~3 Gyr. This constant T_eff is evidenced by nearly unchanging values of L'-M' between types L6 and T3. We compare the observed K, L', and M' luminosities of L and T dwarfs in our sample with those predicted by model atmospheres with varying surface gravities and sedimentation efficiencies. The models indicate that the L3-T4.5 dwarfs generally have higher gravities (log g = 5.0-5.5) than the T6-T9 dwarfs (log g = 4.5-5.0). The predicted M' luminosities of T dwarfs are 1.5-2.5 times larger than those derived empirically for the T dwarfs in our sample. This discrepancy is attributed to absorption at 4.5-4.9 um by CO, which is not expected under the condition of chemical equilibrium assumed in the models. We determine that the L3 dwarf Kelu-1 and the T0 dwarf SDSS J0423-0414 are probable binary systems. We compute log(L_bol/L_sun) = -5.73 +/- 0.05 and T_eff = 600-750 K for the T9 dwarf 2MASS J0415-0935, which supplants Gl 570D as the least luminous and coolest brown dwarf presently known., Comment: 50 pages, including 10 figures and 6 tables, to be published in June 2004 issue of The Astronomical Journal. Revised 25 Mar 2003: Removed footnote 17

We present preliminary trigonometric parallaxes and proper motions for 22 L dwarfs and 18 T dwarfs measured using the ASTROCAM infrared imager. Relative to absolute parallax corrections are made by employing 2MASS and/or SDSS photometry for reference frame stars. We combine USNO infrared and optical parallaxes with the best available CIT system photometry to determine M_J, M_H, and M_K values for 37 L dwarfs between spectral types L0 to L8 and 19 T dwarfs between spectral types T0.5 and T8 and present selected absolute magnitude versus spectral type and color diagrams, based on these results. Luminosities and temperatures are estimated for these objects. Of special interest are the distances of several objects which are at or near the L-T dwarf boundary so that this important transition can be better understood. The previously reported early-mid T dwarf luminosity excess is clearly confirmed and found to be present at J, H, and K. The large number of objects that populate this luminosity excess region indicates that it cannot be due entirely to selection effects. The T dwarf sequence is extended to M_J~16.9 by 2MASS J041519-0935 which, at d = 5.74 pc, is found to be the least luminous [log(L/L_sun)=-5.58] and coldest (T_eff~760 K) brown dwarf known. Combining results from this paper with earlier USNO CCD results we find that, in contrast to the L dwarfs, there are no examples of low velocity (V_tan < 20 km/s) T dwarfs. We briefly discuss future directions for the USNO infrared astrometry program., Comment: 73 pages, 9 figures, 9 tables, accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal

We have discovered three globular clusters beyond the Holmberg radius in Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys images of the gas-rich dark matter dominated blue compact dwarf galaxy NGC2915. The clusters, all of which start to resolve into stars, have M_{V606} = -8.9 to -9.8 mag, significantly brighter than the peak of the luminosity function of Milky Way globular clusters. Their colors suggest a metallicity [Fe/H] ~ -1.9 dex, typical of metal-poor Galactic globular clusters. The specific frequency of clusters is at a minimum normal, compared to spiral galaxies. However, since only a small portion of the system has been surveyed it is more likely that the luminosity and mass normalized cluster content is higher, like that seen in elliptical galaxies and galaxy clusters. This suggests that NGC2915 resembles a key phase in the early hierarchical assembly of galaxies - the epoch when much of the old stellar population has formed, but little of the stellar disk. Depending on the subsequent interaction history, such systems could go on to build-up larger elliptical galaxies, evolve into normal spirals, or in rare circumstances remain suspended in their development to become systems like NGC2915., Comment: ApJ Letters accepted; 6 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables

We present the analysis of the faint galaxy population in the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) Early Release Observation fields VV 29 (UGC 10214) and NGC 4676. Here we attempt to thoroughly consider all aspects relevant for faint galaxy counting and photometry, developing methods which are based on public software and that are easily reproducible by other astronomers. Using simulations we determine the best SExtractor parameters for the detection of faint galaxies in deep HST observations, paying special attention to the issue of deblending, which significantly affects the normalization and shape of the number count distribution. We confirm, as claimed by Bernstein, Freedman and Madore (2002), that Kron-like magnitudes, such as the ones generated by SExtractor, can miss more than half of the light of faint galaxies, what dramatically affects the slope of the number counts. We present catalogs for the VV 29 and NGC 4676 fields with photometry in the g,V and I bands. We also show that combining the bayesian software BPZ with superb ACS data and new spectral templates enables us to estimate reliable photometric redshifts for a significant fraction of galaxies with as few as three filters. After correcting for selection effects, we measure slopes of 0.32+- 0.01 for 22 < g < 28, 0.34+-0.01 for 22< V <27.5 and 0.33+-0.01 for 22 < I < 27. The counts do not flatten (except perhaps in the g-band), up to the depth of our observations. We find that the faint counts m_{AB}> 25.5 can be well approximated in all our filters by a passive luminosity evolution model based on the COMBO-17 luminosity function (\alpha=-1.5), with a strong merging rate following the prescription of Glazebrook et al. (1994), \phi^*\propto (1+Qz), with Q=4., Comment: 21 pages, 20 figures, to appear in ApJS. Several figures heavily degraded to fit astro-ph size limit. Please download full resolution version from http://acs.pha.jhu.edu/~txitxo/FaintGalaxies.ps.gz

We investigate the color-magnitude (CM) relation of galaxies in the distant X-ray selected cluster RDCS1252.9-2927 at z=1.24 using images obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on the Hubble Space Telescope in the F775W and F850LP bandpasses. We select galaxies based on morphological classifications extending about 3.5 mag down the galaxy luminosity function, augmented by spectroscopic membership information. At the core of the cluster is an extensive early-type galaxy population surrounding a central pair of galaxies that show signs of dynamical interaction. The early-type population defines a tight sequence in the CM diagram, with an intrinsic scatter in observed (i-z) of $0.029\pm0.007$ mag based on 52 galaxies, or $0.024\pm0.008$ mag for $\sim30$ ellipticals. Simulations using the latest stellar population models indicate an age scatter for the ellipticals of about 34%, with a mean age $\taul\gta2.6$ Gyr (corresponding to $z_L\gta2.7$), and the last star formation occurring at $z_{end}\gta1.5$. Transforming to rest-frame $(U-B)$, we conclude that the slope and scatter in the CM relation for morphologically selected early-type galaxies show little or no evidence for evolution out to $z\approx1.2$. Thus, elliptical galaxies were already well established in X-ray luminous clusters when the universe was a third of its present age., Comment: 6 emulateapj pages with 4 figures, including a bonus figure not seen elsewhere. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters. A version with a higher resolution fig 1 can be found at http://acs.pha.jhu.edu/~jpb/z1clusters/

Using an i-z dropout criterion, we determine the space density of z~6 galaxies from two deep ACS GTO fields with deep optical-IR imaging. A total of 23 objects are found over 46 arcmin^2, or ~0.5 objects/arcmin^2 down to z~27.3 (6 sigma; all AB mag) (including one probable z~6 AGN). Combining deep ISAAC data for our RDCS1252-2927 field (J~25.7 and Ks~25.0 (5 sigma)) and NICMOS data for the HDF North (JH~27.3 (5 sigma)), we verify that these dropouts have flat spectral slopes. i-dropouts in our sample range in luminosity from ~1.5 L* (z~25.6) to ~0.3 L* (z~27.3) with the exception of one very bright candidate at z~24.2. The half-light radii vary from 0.09" to 0.29", or 0.5 kpc to 1.7 kpc. We derive the z~6 rest-frame UV luminosity density using three different procedures, each utilizing simulations based on a CDF South V dropout sample. First, we compare our findings with a no-evolution projection of this V-dropout sample. We find 23+/-25% more i-dropouts than we predict. Adopting previous results to z~5, this works out to a 20+/-29% drop in the luminosity density from z~3 to z~6. Second, we use these same V-dropout simulations to derive a selection function for our i-dropout sample and compute the UV-luminosity density (7.2+/-2.5 x 10^25 ergs/s/Hz/Mpc^3 down to z~27). We find a 39+/-21% drop over the same redshift range. This is our preferred value and suggests a star formation rate of 0.0090+/-0.0031 M_sol/yr/Mpc^3 to z~27, or ~0.036+/- 0.012 M_sol/yr/Mpc^3 extrapolating the LF to the faint limit. Third, we follow a very similar procedure, but assume no incompleteness, finding a luminosity density which is ~2-3X lower. This final estimate constitutes a lower limit. All three estimates are within the canonical range of luminosity densities necessary for reionization of the universe at this epoch. (abridged), Comment: 36 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ, postscript version with high-resolution figures can be downloaded at http://www.ucolick.org/~bouwens/idropout.ps

Multicolor coronagraphic images of the circumstellar disk around HD141569A have been obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys. B, V, and I images show that the disk's previously-described multiple-ring structure is actually a continuous distribution of dust with a tightly-wound spiral structure. Two, more open spiral arms extend from the disk, one of which appears to reach the nearby binary star HD141569BC. Diffuse dust is seen up to 1200AU from HD141569A. Although planets may exist in the inner region of the disk, tidal interaction with HD141569BC seems more likely to be the cause of these phenomena. The disk appears redder than the star (B-V = 0.21 and V-I = 0.25), and its color is spatially uniform. A scattering asymmetry factor of g = 0.25-0.35 is derived. The azimuthal density distribution is asymmetric, varying by a factor of ~3 at some radii., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, accepted in the Astronomical Journal

We present observations of the first two supernovae discovered with the recently installed Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on the Hubble Space Telescope. The supernovae were found in Wide Field Camera images of the Hubble Deep Field North taken with the F775W, F850LP, and G800L optical elements as part of the ACS guaranteed time observation program. Spectra extracted from the ACS G800L grism exposures confirm that the objects are Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) at redshifts z=0.47 and z=0.95. Follow-up HST observations have been conducted with ACS in F775W and F850LP and with NICMOS in the near-infrared F110W bandpass, yielding a total of 9 flux measurements in the 3 bandpasses over a period of 50 days in the observed frame. We discuss many of the important issues in doing accurate photometry with the ACS. We analyze the multi-band light curves using two different fitting methods to calibrate the supernovae luminosities and place them on the SNe Ia Hubble diagram. The resulting distances are consistent with the redshift-distance relation of the accelerating universe model, although evolving intergalactic grey dust remains as a less likely possibility. The relative ease with which these SNe Ia were found, confirmed, and monitored demonstrates the potential ACS holds for revolutionizing the field of high-redshift SNe Ia, and therefore of testing the accelerating universe cosmology and constraining the "epoch of deceleration"., Comment: 11 pages, 8 embedded figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ

We present the first Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) observations of young star clusters in the colliding/merging galaxy UGC 10214. The observations were made as part of the Early Release Observation (ERO) program for the newly installed ACS during service mission SM3B for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Many young star clusters can be identified in the tails of UGC 10214, with ages ranging from ~3 Myr to 10 Myr. The extreme blue V-I (F606W-F814W) colors of the star clusters found in the tail of UGC 10214 can only be explained if strong emission lines are included with a young stellar population. This has been confirmed by our Keck spectroscopy of some of these bright blue stellar knots. The most luminous and largest of these blue knots has an absolute magnitude of M_V = -14.45, with a half-light radius of 161 pc, and if it is a single star cluster, would qualify as a super star cluster (SSC). Alternatively, it could be a superposition of multiple scaled OB associations or clusters. With an estimated age of ~ 4-5 Myr, its derived mass is < 1.3 x 10^6 solar masses. Thus the young stellar knot is unbound and will not evolve into a normal globular cluster. The bright blue clusters and associations are much younger than the dynamical age of the tail, providing strong evidence that star formation occurs in the tail long after it was ejected. UGC 10214 provides a nearby example of processes that contributed to the formation of halos and intra-cluster media in the distant and younger Universe., Comment: 6 pages with embedded figures, ApJ in press

An extensive sample of M, L and T dwarfs identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) has been compiled. The sample of 718 dwarfs includes 677 new objects (629 M dwarfs, 48 L dwarfs) together with 41 that have been previously published. All new objects and some of the previously published ones have new optical spectra obtained either with the SDSS spectrographs or with the Apache Point Observatory 3.5m ARC telescope. Spectral types and SDSS colors are available for all objects; approximately 35% also have near-infrared magnitudes measured by 2MASS or on the Mauna Kea system. We use this sample to characterize the color--spectral type and color--color relations of late type dwarfs in the SDSS filters, and to derive spectroscopic and photometric parallax relations for use in future studies of the luminosity and mass functions based on SDSS data. We find that the (i*-z*) and (i*-J) colors provide good spectral type and absolute magnitude (M_i*) estimates for M and L dwarfs. Our distance estimates for the current sample indicate that SDSS is finding early M dwarfs out to about 1.5 kpc, L dwarfs to approximately 100 pc and T dwarfs to near 20 pc. The T dwarf photometric data show large scatter and are therefore less reliable for spectral type and distance estimation., Comment: 46 pages, 14 figures (24 pages of figures), Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal

We discuss the behaviour of the JHKL'M' colors of L and T dwarfs, based on photometric and spectroscopic data obtained at the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope in Hawaii. We have measured the first accurate M' photometry for L and T dwarfs. The K-M' colors of T dwarfs are much bluer than predicted by published models, suggesting that CO may be more abundant than expected, as has been found spectroscopically for the T6 dwarf Gl 229B. We also find that K-L' increases monotonically through most of the M, L, and T subclasses, but it is approximately constant between types L6 and T5, due to the onset of methane absorption at the blue edge of the L' bandpass. The JHK colors of L dwarfs show significant scatter, suggesting variations in the amount and properties of photospheric dust, and indicating that it may not be possible to associate a unique effective temperature with a given L spectral type. The H-K colors of the later T dwarfs also show some scatter which we suggest is due to variations in pressure-induced molecular hydrogen opacity, which is sensitive to gravity (or age for a brown dwarf) and metallicity., Comment: To be published in Proceedings of the 12th Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun

We use new and published medium resolution 0.6--2.5 $\mu$m spectra of L and T dwarfs to develop a unified classification system for both of these new spectral classes. Two indices of the system at 1.2 $\mu$m and 1.5 $\mu$m are based on nearby absorption bands of water vapor and two are associated with methane bands near 1.6 $\mu$m and 2.2 $\mu$m. The 1.5 $\mu$m index is monotonic through the L and T sequences, and forms the backbone of the system; the indices for the other bands provide extensive, but only partial, coverage. We correlate the 1.5 $\mu$m index with continuum indices shortward of 1 $\mu$m devised by others for classifying L dwarfs, in order to obtain a tight link between optical and infrared classifications. Our proposed system defines ten spectral subclasses for L (L0--L9) and nine for T (T0--T8). The boundary between L and T is defined to be the onset of absorption by methane in the H band. Methane absorption in the K band near 2.2 $\mu$m is found to begin approximately at L8., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 1 table; to be published in the Proceedings of the 12th Cambridge Workshop on Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun

We present 0.6-2.5um, R~400 spectra of twenty-seven cool, low luminosity stars and substellar objects. Based on these and previously published spectra we develop a preliminary spectral classification system for L and T dwarfs. For late L and T types the classification system is based entirely on four spectral indices in the 1-2.5um interval. Two of these indices are derived from water absorption bands at 1.15um and 1.4um, the latter of which shows a smooth increase in depth through the L and T sequences and can be used to classify both spectral types. The other two indices make use of methane absorption features in the H and K bands, with the K band index also applicable to mid to late L dwarfs. Continuum indices shortward of 1um used by previous authors to classify L dwarfs are found to be useful only through mid L subclasses. We employ the 1.5um water index and the 2.2um methane index to complete the L classification through L9.5 and to link the new system with a modified version of the 2MASS ``Color-d'' index. By correlating the depths of the methane and water absorption features, we establish a T spectral sequence from types T0 to T8, based on all four indices, which is a smooth continuation of the L sequence. We reclassify two 2MASS L8 dwarfs as L9 and L9.5 and identify one SDSS object as L9. In the proposed system methane absorption appears in the K band approximately at L8, two subclasses earlier than its appearance in the H band. The L and T spectral classes are distinguished by the absence and presence, respectively, of H band methane absorption., Comment: 40 pages, 14 figures, to be published in Ap.J., Jan 1, 2002

We present ZJHKL'M' photometry of a sample of 58 late-M, L, and T dwarfs, most of which are identified from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Two Micron All-Sky Survey. Near-infrared spectra and spectral classifications for most of this sample are presented in a companion paper by Geballe et al. We derive the luminosities of 18 dwarfs in the sample and the results imply that the effective temperature range for the L dwarfs in our sample is approximately 2200-1300 K and for the T dwarfs 1300-800 K. We obtained new photometric data at the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope for: 42 dwarfs at Z, 34 dwarfs at JHK, 21 dwarfs at L', as well as M' data for two L dwarfs and two T dwarfs. The M' data provide the first accurate photometry for L and T dwarfs in this bandpass - for a T2 and a T5 dwarf, we find K-M'=1.2 and 1.6, respectively. These colors are much bluer than predicted by models suggesting that CO may be more abundant in these objects than expected, as has been found for the T6 dwarf Gl 229B. We also find that K-L' increases monotonically through most of the M, L, and T subclasses, but it is almost constant between types L6 and T5. The degeneracy is probably due to the onset of methane absorption at the blue edge of the L' bandpass. The JHK colors of L dwarfs show significant scatter, suggesting that the fluxes in these bandpasses are sensitive to variations in photospheric dust properties. The H-K colors of the later T dwarfs also show some scatter which we suggest is due to variations in pressure-induced molecular hydrogen opacity, which is sensitive to gravity and metallicity., Comment: 33 pages incl. 6 figures, accepted by ApJ August 2001

We present infrared spectra of brown dwarfs with spectral types from mid-L to T. The 0.9-2.5 $\mu$m spectra of three dwarfs found by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey contain absorption bands of both methane and carbon monoxide and bridge the gap between late L and previously observed T dwarfs. These dwarfs form a clear spectral sequence, with CH$_{4}$ absorption increasing as the CO absorption decreases. Water vapor band strengths increase in parallel with the methane bands and thus also link the L and T types. We suggest that objects with detectable CO and CH$_{4}$ in the H and K bands should define the earliest T subclasses. From observations of bright (K~$\leq$~13 mag) L dwarfs found by 2MASS, we find that the onset of detectable amounts of CH$_{4}$ occurs near spectral type L5. For this spectral type methane is observable in the 3.3~$\mu$m $\nu$$_{3}$ band only, and not in the overtone and combination bands at H and K., Comment: 9 pages (Latex) and 5 figures (postscript). Proc of Mtg on Ultracool Dwarfs, Manchester, 12 August 2000, to be published in Lecture Notes in Physics (Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag)

We present the technique and results of a survey of stars within 8 pc of the Sun with declinations $\bf\delta > -35\arcdeg$ (J2000.00). The survey, designed to find without color bias faint companions, consists of optical coronagraphic images of the 1\arcmin field of view centered on each star and infrared direct images with a 32\asc field of view. The images were obtained through the optical Gunn $r$ and $z$ filters and the infrared J and K filters. The survey achieves sensitivities up to four absolute magnitudes fainter than the prototype brown dwarf, Gliese 229B. However, this sensitivity varies with the seeing conditions, the intrinsic brightness of the star observed and the angular distance from the star. As a result we tabulate sensitivity limits for each star in the survey. We used the criterion of common proper motion to distinguish companions and to determine their luminosities. In addition to the brown dwarf Gliese 229B, we have identified 6 new stellar companions of the sample stars. Since the survey began, accurate trigonometric parallax measurements for most of the stars have become available. As a result some of the stars we originally included should no longer be included in the 8 pc sample. In addition, the 8 pc sample is incomplete at the faint end of the main sequence complicating our calculation of the binary fraction of brown dwarfs. We assess the sensitivity of the survey to stellar companions and to brown dwarf companions of various masses and ages., Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal. 58 pages, 19 figures, 14 tables

We present Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys (HST/ACS) coronagraphic observations of the Herbig Ae star HD 163296. HD 163296's scattered light disk was resolved in the F606W and F814W filters in observations obtained In 2003 and in the F435W filter in observations obtained in 2004. Analysis of single-epoch data indicates that the disk (V-I) color is redder than the observed stellar (V-I) color. This spatially uniform red disk color might be indicative of either an evolution in the grain size distribution (i.e. grain growth) and/or composition. Both of these processes would be consistent with the observed flat geometry of the outer disk, as diagnosed by the observed r$(exp -3)$ power law behavior of its median azimuthally averaged disk surface brightness, which suggest that grain evolution is occurring. Comparison of ACS and STIS epoch scattered light data reveals differences in the observed disk surface brightnesses, of order 1 mag arcsec$(exp -2)$, in both V and white-light filter bandpasses. Along with the observed variability in the visibility and surface brightness of the ansa(e) in the disk, and spectropolarimetric variability of the system, these results suggest that the resolved scattered light disk is variable, a phenomenon not previously observed in any other Herbig protoplanetary system We speculate that the observed behavior might be attributable to the variable inflation of the scale height of the inner disk wall, which results in variable self-shadowing of the outer disk.

The Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) is a deep imaging camera installed on the Hubble Space Telescope during the fourth HST servicing mission. ACS recently entered its second year of science operations and continues to perform beyond pre-launch expectations. We present science highlights from the ACS Science Team's GTO program. These highlights include the evolution of Z approx. 6 galaxies from deep imaging observations; deep imaging of strongly lensed clusters which have been used to determine cluster mass, and independently constraint the geometry of the Universe; and coronagraphic observations of debris disks.

Optical coronagraph images of the high proper motion astrometric binary Gl 105A reveal a very red companion, Gl 105C, located 3.27 arcsecs from Gl 105A at P.A. 287 deg. At this location, it is not clear whether Gl 105C can fully account for the astrometric perturbation of Gl 105A. Aperture photometry gives I(sub C) = 12.6 and R(sub C) - I(sub C) = 3.7 for Gl 105C, indicating that it is a very low mass M dwarf. Using the observed I(sub C), an empirical M(sub I) versus I-K relation, and an assumed distance of 8.2 pc to Gl 105A, M(sub K) = 9.7 is derived for Gl 105C. An empirical mass-M(sub K) relation for low-mass stars suggest a mass of 0.084 solar mass for Gl 105C, which is just above the minimum mass for stable hydrogen burning. Gl 105C was not detected in previous K-band searches; its detection demonstrates the usefulness of optical coronagraphy for identifying very low mass objects.

Brown dwarf companions have been searched for around stars within 10 pc of the Sun using the Johns-Hopkins University Adaptive Optics Coronagraph (AOC), a stellar coronagraph with an image stabilizer. The AOC covers the field around the target star with a minimum search radius of 1 sec .5 and a field of view of 1 arcmin sq. We have reached an unprecedented dynamic range of Delta m = 13 in our search for faint companions at I band. Comparison of our survey with other brown dwarf searches shows that the AOC technique is unique in its dynamic range while at the same time just as sensitive to brown dwarfs as the recent brown dwarf surveys. The present survey covered 24 target stars selected from the Gliese catalog. A total of 94 stars were detected in 16 fields. The low-latitude fields are completely dominated by background star contamination. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were carried out for a sample restricted to high latitudes and a sample with small angular separations. The high-latitude sample (b greater than or equal to 44 deg) appears to show spatial concentration toward target stars. The small separation sample (Delta Theta less than 20 sec) shows weaker dependence on Galactic coordinates than field stars. These statistical tests suggest that both the high-latitude sample and the small separation sample can include a substantial fraction of true companions. However, the nature of these putative companions is mysterious. They are too faint to be white dwarfs and too blue for brown dwarfs. Ignoring the signif icance of the statistical tests, we can reconcile most of the detections with distant main-sequence stars or white dwarfs except for a candidate next to GL 475. Given the small size of our sample, we conclude that considerably more targets need to be surveyed before a firm conclusion on the possibility of a new class of companions can be made.

The characteristics of a quadrant-CCD designed for pointing and tracking are discussed with reference to its use in an adaptive optics program. The quadrant-CCD is used to correct stellar image motion proceeding from atmospheric turbulence by means of a system in which a sensor measures the image offset and sends data to a high-speed tip/tilt mirror. The design and control of the device are detailed, including four 100-micron-square pixels, the quadrant architecture, controller electronics, and data acquisition computer and interface. The transfer function is set forth in the x and y directions, and transfer curves are shown. A laboratory simulation of random image motion was conducted to evaluate the performance of the quadrant-CCD as an image motion sensor, and the experimental results are presented. The suitability of the quadrant-CCD for space-based pointing and tracking uses is demonstrated by this test and two earlier theoretical studies. Some future developments which improve performance capabilities are mentioned.