Imaging protoplanets: Observing transition disks with non-redundant masking

Steph Sallum, Josh Eisner, Laird M. Close, Philip M. Hinz, Katherine B. Follette, Kaitlin Kratter, Andrew J. Skemer, Vanessa P. Bailey, Runa Briguglio, Denis Defrere, Bruce A. Macintosh, Jared R. Males, Katie M. Morzinski, Alfio T. Puglisi, Timothy J. Rodigas, Peter G. Tuthill, Eckhart Spalding, Amali Vaz, Alycia Weinberger, Marco Xomperio

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transition disks, protoplanetary disks with inner clearings, are promising objects in which to directly image forming planets. The high contrast imaging technique of non-redundant masking is well posed to detect planetary mass companions at several to tens of AU in nearby transition disks. We present non-redundant masking observations of the T Cha and LkCa 15 transition disks, both of which host posited sub-stellar mass companions. However, due to a loss of information intrinsic to the technique, observations of extended sources (e.g. scattered light from disks) can be misinterpreted as moving companions. We discuss tests to distinguish between these two scenarios, with applications to the T Cha and LkCa 15 observations. We argue that a static, forward-scattering disk can explain the T Cha data, while LkCa 15 is best explained by multiple orbiting companions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationOptical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging V
EditorsMichelle J. Creech-Eakman, Fabien Malbet, Peter G. Tuthill
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510601932
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
EventOptical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging V - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Duration: Jun 27 2016Jul 1 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9907

Other

OtherOptical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging V
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityEdinburgh
Period6/27/167/1/16

Keywords

  • Exoplanets
  • High-contrast imaging
  • Interferometry
  • LkCa 15
  • T Cha
  • Transition disks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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