Spitzer Space Telescope - Directors Discretionary Time Proposal #284

Nearby, Young Brown Dwarfs: A Comprehensive Study 

Principal Investigator: Kelle Cruz
Institution: American Museum of Natural History  

Science Category: Brown dwarfs/Low Mass Stars 
Observing Modes: IracMap MipsPhot 
Hours Approved: 13.9

Abstract:

I have spectroscopically identified over 30 brown dwarfs with low- gravity
spectral features indicating ages of 5-50 Myr. While over two-thirds of
are likely members of the young (8-50Myr) loose associations in the  southern
hemisphere, the other objects are far removed from the young  associations
of the south and suggest one or more previously unrecognized groups in
the northern hemisphere. I propose to lead a multi-faceted project aimed
at understanding the nature and origin of a new population of
juvenile brown dwarfs. This investigation will have ramifications for  our
understanding of the formation and evolution of disks, brown dwarfs,
planets and, with the possible identification of new young stellar
associations, star formation at all masses.