Infrared radial velocities of vB 10

TL;DR

This study measures radial velocities of the low-mass star vB 10 over several years using near-infrared spectra, indicating possible planetary companionship but requiring further data for confirmation.

Contribution

First near-infrared radial velocity measurements of vB 10 over multiple epochs, suggesting potential planetary companion detection.

Findings

Radial velocity variability of ~1 km/s observed

Data consistent with a massive planet companion

Further observations needed for orbital characterization

Abstract

We present radial velocities of the M8V-type, very low-mass star vB 10 that have been obtained at four different epochs of observations between 2001 and 2008. We use high-resolution (R ~ 20,000) near-infrared (J-band) spectra taken with the NIRSPEC instrument on the Keck II telescope. Our data suggest that vB 10 shows radial velocity variability with an amplitude of ~1 km/s, a result that is consistent with the recent finding of a massive planet companion around the star by Pravdo & Shaklan (2009). More velocity measurements and a better sampling of the orbital phase are required to precisely constrain the orbital parameters and the individual masses of the pair.