planetary systems; stars: individual: beta Pictoris; techniques: high angular resolution
Abstract :
[en] Context. The orbit of the giant planet discovered around β Pic is slightly inclined with respect to the outer parts of the debris disc, which creates a warp in the inner debris disc. This inclination might be explained by gravitational interactions with other planets. <BR /> Aims: We aim to search for additional giant planets located at smaller angular separations from the star. <BR /> Methods: We used the new L'-band AGPM coronagraph on VLT/NACO, which provides an exquisite inner working angle. A long observing sequence was obtained on β Pic in pupil-tracking mode. To derive sensitivity limits, the collected images were processed using a principal-component analysis technique specifically tailored to angular differential imaging. <BR /> Results: No additional planet is detected down to an angular separation of 0.''2with a sensitivity better than 5 M[SUB]Jup[/SUB]. Meaningful upper limits (<10 M[SUB]Jup[/SUB]) are derived down to an angular separation of 0.''1, which corresponds to 2 AU at the distance of β Pic.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Absil, Olivier ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astroph. extragalactique et observations spatiales (AEOS)
Milli, J.; European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Córdova 3107, Vitacura, Casilla 19001, Santiago, Chile ; UJF-Grenoble 1/CNRS, Institut de Planétologie et d'Astrophysique de Grenoble (IPAG) UMR 5274, 38041, Grenoble, France
Mawet, D.; European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Córdova 3107, Vitacura, Casilla 19001, Santiago, Chile
Lagrange, A.-M.; UJF-Grenoble 1/CNRS, Institut de Planétologie et d'Astrophysique de Grenoble (IPAG) UMR 5274, 38041, Grenoble, France
Girard, J.; European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Córdova 3107, Vitacura, Casilla 19001, Santiago, Chile
Chauvin, G.; UJF-Grenoble 1/CNRS, Institut de Planétologie et d'Astrophysique de Grenoble (IPAG) UMR 5274, 38041, Grenoble, France
Boccaletti, A.; LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, Univ. Paris-Diderot, 5 Pl. J. Janssen, 92195, Meudon, France
Delacroix, Christian ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astroph. extragalactique et observations spatiales (AEOS)
Surdej, Jean ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astroph. extragalactique et observations spatiales (AEOS)
Language :
English
Title :
Searching for companions down to 2 AU from β Pictoris using the L'-band AGPM coronagraph on VLT/NACO