Direct Imaging of Fine Structures in Giant Planet Forming Regions of the Protoplanetary Disk around AB Aurigae

Feb, 2011
12 pages
Published in:
  • Astrophys.J.Lett. 729 (2011) L17
e-Print:

Citations per year

20112014201720202022051015
Abstract: (arXiv)
We report high-resolution 1.6 \micron polarized intensity (PIPI) images of the circumstellar disk around the Herbig Ae star AB Aur at a radial distance of 22 AU (0.150.'15) up to 554 AU (3.'85), which have been obtained by the high-contrast instrument HiCIAO with the dual-beam polarimetry. We revealed complicated and asymmetrical structures in the inner part (\lesssim140 AU) of the disk, while confirming the previously reported outer (rr \gtrsim200 AU) spiral structure. We have imaged a double ring structure at \sim40 and \sim100 AU and a ring-like gap between the two. We found a significant discrepancy of inclination angles between two rings, which may indicate that the disk of AB Aur is warped. Furthermore, we found seven dips (the typical size is \sim45 AU or less) within two rings as well as three prominent PIPI peaks at \sim40 AU. The observed structures, including a bumpy double ring, a ring-like gap, and a warped disk in the innermost regions, provide essential information for understanding the formation mechanism of recently detected wide-orbit (rr >>20 AU) planets.