48 research outputs found
Search for Outer Massive Bodies around Transiting Planetary Systems: Candidates of Faint Stellar Companions around HAT-P-7
We present results of direct imaging observations for HAT-P-7 taken with the
Subaru HiCIAO and the Calar Alto AstraLux. Since the close-in transiting planet
HAT-P-7b was reported to have a highly tilted orbit, massive bodies such as
giant planets, brown dwarfs, or a binary star are expected to exist in the
outer region of this system. We show that there are indeed two candidates for
distant faint stellar companions around HAT-P-7. We discuss possible roles
played by such companions on the orbital evolution of HAT-P-7b. We conclude
that as there is a third body in the system as reported by Winn et al. (2009,
ApJL, 763, L99), the Kozai migration is less likely while planet-planet
scattering is possible.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, PASJ in pres
Polarimetric Imaging of Large Cavity Structures in the Pre-transitional Protoplanetary Disk around PDS 70: Observations of the disk
We present high resolution H-band polarized intensity (PI; FWHM = 0."1: 14
AU) and L'-band imaging data (FWHM = 0."11: 15 AU) of the circumstellar disk
around the weak-lined T Tauri star PDS 70 in Centaurus at a radial distance of
28 AU (0."2) up to 210 AU (1."5). In both images, a giant inner gap is clearly
resolved for the first time, and the radius of the gap is ~70 AU. Our data show
that the geometric center of the disk shifts by ~6 AU toward the minor axis. We
confirm that the brown dwarf companion candidate to the north of PDS 70 is a
background star based on its proper motion. As a result of SED fitting by Monte
Carlo radiative transfer modeling, we infer the existence of an optically thick
inner disk at a few AU. Combining our observations and modeling, we classify
the disk of PDS 70 as a pre-transitional disk. Furthermore, based on the
analysis of L'-band imaging data, we put an upper limit mass of companions at
~30 to ~50MJ within the gap. Taking account of the presence of the large and
sharp gap, we suggest that the gap could be formed by dynamical interactions of
sub-stellar companions or multiple unseen giant planets in the gap.Comment: accepted by APJ