The First VLBI Detection of an Ultracool Dwarf: Implications for the Detectability of Sub-stellar Companions

Abstract

We present milliarcsecond-resolution radio very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the ultracool dwarfs TVLM513-46546 (M8.5) and 2MASS J00361617+1821104 (L3.5) in an attempt to detect sub-stellar companions via direct imaging or reflex motion. Both objects are known radio emitters with strong evidence for periodic emission on timescales of about 2 and 3 hours, respectively. Using the inner seven VLBA antennas, we detect unresolved emission from TVLM513-46546 on a scale of 2.5 mas (~50 stellar radii), leading to a direct limit on the radio emission brightness temperature of T_B > 4x10^5 K. However, with the higher spatial resolution afforded by the full VLBA we find that the source appears to be marginally and asymmetrically resolved at a low S/N ratio, possibly indicating that TVLM513-46546 is a binary with a projected separation of ~1 mas (~20 stellar radii). Using the 7-hour baseline of our observation we find no astrometric shift in the position of TVLM513-46546, with a 3-sigma limit of about 0.6 mas. This is about 3 times larger than expected for an equal mass companion with a few-hour orbital period. Future monitoring of its position on a range of timescales will provide the required astrometric sensitivity to detect a planetary companion with a mass of ~10 M_J in a >15 d (>0.06 AU) orbit, or with a mass of ~2 M_J in an orbit of >0.5 yr (>0.3 AU).

Submitted to ApJ Letters; 9 pages, 5 figures

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• An Astrometric Search for a Sub-stellar Companion of the M8.5 Dwarf TVLM 513-46546 Using Very Long Baseline Interferometry
• The 5 GHz Arecibo Search for Radio Flares from Ultracool Dwarfs
• Radio Interferometric Planet Search II: Constraints on sub-Jupiter-Mass Companions to GJ 896A
• Comparative analysis of two formation scenarios of bursty radio emission from ultracool dwarfs
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• 325 MHz VLA Observations of Ultracool Dwarfs TVLM 513-46546 and 2MASS J0036+1821104
• Radio-flaring Ultracool Dwarf Population Synthesis
• Probing the magnetosphere of the M8.5 dwarf TVLM513-46546 by modelling its auroral radio emission. Hint of star exoplanet interaction?
• Sub-stellar companions of the young weak-line TTauri Star DoAr21
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