L dwarfs in the Hyades

Abstract

We present the results of a proper motion survey of the Hyades to search for brown dwarfs, based on UKIRT Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS) and Two-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) data. This survey covers ∼275 deg2 to a depth of K ∼ 15 mag, equivalent to a mass of ∼0.05 M⊙ assuming a cluster age of 625 Myr. The discovery of 12 L dwarf Hyades members is reported. These members are also brown dwarfs, with masses between 0.05 < M < 0.075 M⊙. A high proportion of these L dwarfs appear to be photometric binaries. Journal compilation © 2008 RAS.