Astro2020 White Paper: The L/T Transition [SSA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1903.06691


The L/T transition is an important evolutionary phase in brown dwarf atmospheres, providing us with a unique opportunity to explore the effects of clouds, convection, winds, gravity and metallicity across a very narrow temperature range. Understanding these physical processes is critical for understanding ultracool atmospheres. In the next decade, we will answer three key questions regarding L/T transition atmospheres: 1. What is the physical mechanism behind the L/T transition? 2. What is the spatial extent of atmospheric structures at the L/T transition? 3. How do gravity and metallicity affect the L/T transition? The theory and methods developed for brown dwarfs will be used in the 2030s and beyond for solar-system age giant exoplanets and eventually habitable zone earth analogues. Developing these techniques now are crucial.

Read this paper on arXiv…

J. Vos, K. Allers, D. Apai, et. al.
Mon, 18 Mar 19
65/102

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