the initial mass function contains clues to the processes regulating formation of low mass stars and substellar objects and also may be important to locating a portion of the dark matter. it is very difficult to extend the imf of field stars into the brown dwarf regime because these objects are too cool at the age of most nearby stars. however, young brown dwarfs may be detectable in nearby, young, open clusters, of which the pleiades is the prime example. we have developed and tested a very efficient means to use v, i, k imaging to identify brown dwarf candidates; we have used praesepe for a test that shows that our technique compares closely with recent deep studies based on proper motions. we have used these colors to isolate a complete sample of 12 low mass brown dwarf candidates in 500 square arcmin of the pleiades. the brown dwarf identification of these sources can be tested definitively with longer wavelength measurements with iso.
Instrument
CAM01
Temporal Coverage
1997-09-13T19:10:33Z/1998-02-22T19:52:59Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the worlds first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
