Cloud Atlas: Variability in and out of the Water Band in the Planetary-mass HD 203030B Points to Cloud Sedimentation in Low-gravity L Dwarfs

Abstract

We use the Wide Field Camera 3 on the Hubble Space Telescope to spectrophotometrically monitor the young L7.5 companion HD 203030B. Our time series reveal photometric variability at 1.27 and 1.39 mu m on timescales compatible with rotation. We find a rotation period of 7.5(0.5)(+0.6) hr: comparable to those observed in other brown dwarfs and planetary-mass companions younger than 300 Myr. We measure variability amplitudes of 1.1% +/- 0.3% (1.27 mu m) and 1.7% +/- 0.4% (1.39 mu m), and a phase lag of 56 degrees +/- 28 degrees between the two light curves. We attribute the difference in photometric amplitudes and phases to a patchy cloud layer that is sinking below the level where water vapor becomes opaque. HD 203030B and the few other known variable young late-L dwarfs are unlike warmer (earlier-type and/or older) L dwarfs, for which variability is much less wavelength-dependent across the 1.1-1.7 mu m region. We further suggest that a sinking of the top-most cloud deck below the level where water or carbon monoxide gas become opaque may also explain the often enhanced variability amplitudes of even earlier-type low-gravity L dwarfs. Because these condensate and gas opacity levels are already well-differentiated in T dwarfs, we do not expect the same variability amplitude enhancement in young versus old T dwarfs.