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Title: Structures in the protoplanetary disk of HD142527 seen in polarized scattered light

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal
; ; ; ;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. ETH Zurich, Institute for Astronomy, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 27, 8093 Zurich (Switzerland)
  2. University of Kiel, Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Leibnizstrasse 15, D-24098 Kiel (Germany)
  3. University of Amsterdam, Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek, Postbus 94249, 1090 GE Amsterdam (Netherlands)

We present H- and K {sub s}-band polarized differential images of the Herbig Ae/Be star HD142527, revealing its optically thick outer disk and the nearly empty gap. The very small inner working angle (∼0.''1) and high-resolution achievable with an 8 m class telescope, together with a careful polarimetric calibration strategy, allow us to achieve images that surpass the quality of previous scattered-light images. Previously known substructures are resolved more clearly and new structures are seen. Specifically, we are able to resolve (1) half a dozen spiral structures in the disk, including previously known outer-disk spirals as well as new spiral arms and arcs close to the inner rim of the disk, (2) peculiar holes in the polarized surface brightness at position angles (P.A.'s) of ∼0° and ∼160°, (3) the inner rim on the eastern side of the disk, and (4) the gap between the outer and inner disk, ranging from the inner working angle of 0.''1 out to between 0.''7 and 1.''0, which is nearly devoid of dust. We then use a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm to determine several structural parameters of the disk, using very simple assumptions, including its inclination, eccentricity, and the scale height of the inner rim. We compare our results with previous work on this object and try to produce a consistent picture of the system and its transition disk.

OSTI ID:
22348113
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 781, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English