Variable Outer Disk Shadowing Around the Dipper Star RX J1604.3-2130

Low brightness dips have recently been observed in images of protoplanetary disks, and they are believed to be shadows by the inner disk. We present VLT/SPHERE polarimetric differential imaging of the transition disk around the dipper star RX J1604.3-2130. We gathered 11 epochs that cover a large temporal baseline, to search for variability over timescales of years, months, weeks, and days. Our observations unambiguously reveal two dips along an almost face-on narrow ring (with a width of ∼20 au), and the location of the peak of this ring is at ∼65 au. The ring lies inside the ring-like structure observed with ALMA, which peaks at ∼83 au. This segregation can result from particle trapping in pressure bumps, potentially due to planet(s). We find that the dips are variable, both in morphology and in position. The eastern dip, at a position angle (PA) of ∼83.°7 ±13.°7, has an amplitude that varies between 40% to 90%, and its angular width varies from 10° to 34°. The western dip, at a PA of ∼265.°90 ±13.°0, is more variable, with amplitude and width variations of 31% to 95% and 12° to 53°, respectively. The separation between the dips is 178.°3 ±14.°5, corresponding to a large misalignment between the inner and outer disks, supporting the classification of J1604 as an aperiodic dipper. The variability indicates that the innermost regions are highly dynamic, possibly due to a massive companion or to a complex magnetic field topology.</p

Original use of MUSE's laser tomography adaptive optics to directly image young accreting exoplanets

We present recent results obtained with the VLT/MUSE Integral Field Spectrograph fed by the 4LGSF and its laser tomography adaptive optics module GALACSI. While this so-called narrow-field mode of MUSE was not designed to perform directly imaging of exoplanets and outflows, we show that it can be a game changer to detect and characterize young exoplanets with a prominent emission lines (i.e H{\alpha}, tracer of accretion), at moderate contrasts. These performances are achieved thanks to the combo of a near-diffraction limited PSF and a medium resolution spectrograph and a cross-correlation approach in post-processing . We discuss this in the context of ground and space, infrared and visible wavelengths, preparing for missions like JWST and WFIRST in great synergy and as pathfinder for future ELT/GSMT (Extremely Large and/or Giant Segmented Mirror Telescopes) instruments.Comment: AO4ELT6 Conference Proceedings (2019), 12 pages, 6 figures (http://ao4elt6.copl.ulaval.ca/proceedings.html

Two Directly Imaged, Wide-orbit Giant Planets around the Young, Solar Analog TYC 8998-760-1*

status: publishe

Variable Dynamics in the Inner Disk of HD 135344B Revealed with Multi-epoch Scattered Light Imaging

We present multi-epoch Very Large Telescope/Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch (VLT/SPHERE) observations of the protoplanetary disk around HD. 135344B (SAO 206462). The J-band scattered light imagery reveal, with high spatial resolution (similar to 41 mas, 6.4 au), the disk surface beyond similar to 20 au. Temporal variations are identified in the azimuthal brightness distributions of all epochs, presumably related to the asymmetrically shading dust distribution in the inner disk. These shadows manifest themselves as narrow lanes, cast by localized density enhancements, and broader features which possibly trace the larger scale dynamics of the inner disk. We acquired visible and near-infrared photometry which shows variations up to 10% in the JHK bands, possibly correlated with the presence of the shadows. Analysis of archival Very Large Telescope Interferometer/Precision Integrated-Optics Near-infrared Imaging ExpeRiment (VLTI/PIONIER) H-band visibilities constrain the orientation of the inner disk to i = 18 degrees.2(-4.1)(+3.4) and PA = 57 degrees.3 +/- 5 degrees.7, consistent with an alignment with the outer disk or a minor disk warp of several degrees. The latter scenario could explain the broad, quasi-stationary shadowing in north-northwest direction in case the inclination of the outer disk is slightly larger. The correlation between the shadowing and the near-infrared excess is quantified with a grid of radiative transfer models. The variability of the scattered light contrast requires extended variations in the inner disk atmosphere (H/r less than or similar to 0.2). Possible mechanisms that may cause asymmetric variations in the optical depth (Delta tau less than or similar to 1) through the atmosphere of the inner disk include turbulent fluctuations, planetesimal collisions, or a dusty disk wind, possibly enhanced by a minor disk warp. A fine temporal sampling is required to follow day-to-day changes of the shadow patterns which may be a face-on variant of the UX Orionis phenomenon.ANR of France, ANR-16-CE31-0013 / CONICYT-Gemini grant, 32130007 / STFC, ST-J004030-1 / ERC, 63988

Lessons for WFIRST CGI from ground-based high-contrast systems

International audienceThe Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) for NASA's Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) will constitute a dramatic step forward for high-contrast imaging, integral field spectroscopy, and polarimetry of exoplanets and circumstellar disks, aiming to improve upon the sensitivity of current ground-based direct imaging facilities by 2-3 orders of magnitude. Furthermore, CGI will serve as a pathfinder for future exo-Earth imaging and characterization missions by demonstrating wavefront control, coronagraphy, and spectral retrieval in a new contrast regime, and by validating instrument and telescope models at unprecedented levels of precision. To achieve this jump in performance, it is critical to draw on the experience of ground-based high-contrast facilities. We discuss several areas of relevant commonalities, including: wavefront control, post-processing of integral field unit data, and calibration and observing strategies

Mapping atmospheric aerosols with a citizen science network of smartphone spectropolarimeters

To assess the impact of atmospheric aerosols on health, climate, and air traffic, aerosol properties must be measured with fine spatial and temporal sampling. This can be achieved by actively involving citizens and the technology they own to form an atmospheric measurement network. We establish this new measurement strategy by developing and deploying iSPEX, a low-cost, mass-producible optical add-on for smartphones with a corresponding app. The aerosol optical thickness (AOT) maps derived from iSPEX spectropolarimetric measurements of the daytime cloud-free sky by thousands of citizen scientists throughout the Netherlands are in good agreement with the spatial AOT structure derived from satellite imagery and temporal AOT variations derived from ground-based precision photometry. These maps show structures at scales of kilometers that are typical for urban air pollution, indicating the potential of iSPEX to provide information about aerosol properties at locations and at times that are not covered by current monitoring efforts

Investigation of the inner structures around HD 169142 with VLT/SPHERE

We present observations of the Herbig Ae star HD 169142 with the VLT/SPHERE instruments InfraRed Dual-band Imager and Spectrograph (IRDIS) (K1K2 and H2H3 bands) and the Integral Field Spectrograph (IFS) (Y, J and H bands). We detect several bright blobs at ∼180 mas separation from the star, and a faint arc-like structure in the IFS data. Our reference differential imaging (RDI) data analysis also finds a bright ring at the same separation. We show, using a simulation based on polarized light data, that these blobs are actually part of the ring at 180 mas. These results demonstrate that the earlier detections of blobs in the H and KS bands at these separations in Biller et al. as potential planet/substellar companions are actually tracing a bright ring with a Keplerian motion. Moreover, we detect in the images an additional bright structure at ∼93 mas separation and position angle of 355°, at a location very close to previous detections. It appears point-like in the YJ and K bands but is more extended in the H band. We also marginally detect an inner ring in the RDI data at ∼100 mas. Follow-up observations are necessary to confirm the detection and the nature of this source and structure.ISSN:0035-8711ISSN:1365-296