The properties of the T8.5p dwarf Ross 458C

TL;DR

This study characterizes the very cool T8.5p dwarf Ross 458C using photometry and spectroscopy, deriving its physical properties and comparing model fits to understand its atmospheric composition and cloud effects.

Contribution

First detailed analysis of Ross 458C combining near-infrared and mid-infrared data, with model comparisons highlighting the importance of non-equilibrium chemistry and condensate clouds.

Findings

Ross 458C has Teff ≈ 695K and mass 5-20 MJup.

BT Settl models better predict mid-infrared fluxes, indicating non-equilibrium chemistry effects.

Condensate clouds improve spectral fits, especially in the near-infrared.

Abstract

We present near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy, and warm-Spitzer IRAC photometry of the young very cool T dwarf Ross 458C, which we have typed as T8.5p. By applying the fiducial age constraints (< 1Gyr) imposed by the properties of the active M dwarf Ross 458A, we have used these data to determine that Ross 458C has Teff = 695 \pm 60K, log g = 4.0 - 4.7 and an inferred mass of 5-20 MJup. We have compared fits of the near-infrared spectrum and IRAC photometry to the BT Settl and Saumon & Marley model grids, and have found that both sets provide best fits that are consistent with our derived properties, whilst the former provide a marginally closer match to the data for all scenarios explored here. The main difference between the model grids arises in the 4.5{\mu}m region, where the BT Settl models are able to better predict the flux through the IRAC filter, suggesting that non-equilibrium effects on the CO-CO2 ratio are important for shaping the mid-infrared spectra of very cool T dwarfs. We have also revisited the issue of dust opacity in the spectra of Ross 458C that was raised by Burgasser et al (2010). We have found that the BT Settl models which also incorporate a condensate cloud model, provide a better match to the near-infrared spectrum of this target than the Saumon & Marley model with fsed = 2, and we briefly discuss the influence of condensate clouds on T dwarf spectra.