By reprocessing the NICMOS coronagraphic archive using improved PSF subtraction methods, we have obtained new images of 5 debris disks, all previously unseen using classical PSF subtractions. Three of the disks are edge on and two appear to be ring like, one of which is extremely asymmetric.

Their stellar hosts are nearby, young F and G type stars (40-90 pc, 12–30 Myr), including one that is a close analog to the young sun at roughly the age at which terrestrial planets were assembling. This is a 25% increase in the sample of debris disks seen in scattered light. Analysis and modeling of the disk geometries is in process. Given these systems' youth, proximity, and brightness (V = 7.2 to 8.5), these will be superb targets for investigating planet formation, and are perfect targets for studies with GPI, SPHERE and JWST.

Previous investigations on hydrogen-rich white dwarfs generally yield only very small rotational velocities (v sin i). We have analyzed line profiles in high-resolution optical spectra of eight hydrogen-deficient (pre-) white dwarfs and find deviations from the dominant Stark line broadening in five cases which, interpreted as an effect of stellar rotation, indicate projected rotational velocities of 40 – 70 km s–1. For the three least luminous stars upper limits of v sin i = 15 – 25 km s–1 could be derived only. The resulting velocities correlate with luminosity and mass. However, since the mass-loss rate is correlated to the luminosity of a star, the observed line profiles may be affected by a stellar wind as well. In the case of RX J2117.1+3412, this would solve discrepancies to results of pulsational modeling (v sin i ≈ 0).

Comparative analysis of the parent stars of extrasolar planetary systems and the local disk population shows a strong trend for increasing frequency with increasing abundance. Approximately 4.5% of solar-abundance (−0.15 < [m/H] ≤ +0.15) stars have detectable planetary-mass companions.

We present initial results of an all-sky search for cool, low-mass stars and brown dwarfs within 20 pc. We have used the near-infrared photometry provided by the 2-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) Second Incremental Data Release to create a target list of 1793 candidates with 6 < J < 17 and J – K > 1. Follow-up observations and existing data have enabled over 85% of the sample to be classified. Spectral types and distances have been derived for over 250 nearby dwarfs, including 39 newly discovered L dwarfs. In this poster, we discuss our selection methods and present preliminary results.

We present the results of two imaging surveys for companions to low-luminosity dwarfs, one with Keck to a limiting magnitude of K = 20, and the other with HST to a limiting magnitude of I = 23. No companions were found at separations of 0″.5 to 20″.0, but seven companions were found within 0″.5. Based on sub-stellar evolutionary models, we estimate the companion detection efficiency as a function of mass ratio. This modeling, coupled with the data, place strong upper limits on the mass ratios of unobserved companions. We conclude that no companions exist in the optimal sensitivity regions of both surveys for q > 0.85 (HST), and q > 0.4 (Keck).