Search for brown dwarfs in the IRAS data bases

Abstract

The results of two searches for brown dwarfs using IRAS data bases are reviewed. From one survey, it is concluded that all of the 5776 high-latitude point sources in the IRAS Point Source Catalog can be positionally associated with stars or galaxies by simple comparisons with optical catalogs and atlases. Only one object near the north Galactic pole possesses an optical/IR color cool enough to be considered as a candidate; it is found to be an unusual carbon star of 1300 K with a probable distance far out in the Galactic halo. The more sensitive Serendipitous Survey, which detected objects about five times fainter than the other survey, also found no brown dwarfs. This survey found fewer ordinary stars than the number extrapolated from the less sensitive survey.