Brown Dwarfs in the Pleiades Cluster Confirmed by the Lithium Test

Abstract

We present Keck Observatory 10 m telescope spectra of the two Pleiades brown dwarfs, Teide 1 and Calar 3, showing a clear detection of the Li 670.8 nm resonance line. In Teide 1, we have also obtained evidence for the presence of the subordinate line at 812.6 nm. A high Li abundance [log N (Li) ≥ 2.5], consistent with little if any depletion, is inferred from the observed lines. Since Pleiades brown dwarfs are unable to burn Li, the significant preservation of this fragile element confirms the substellar nature of our two objects. Regardless of their age, their low luminosities and Li content place Teide 1 and Calar 3 comfortably in the genuine brown dwarf realm. Given the probable age of the Pleiades cluster, their masses are estimated at 55 ± 15 M J .