A stream of particles from the begin {equation}ta Pictoris disc: A possible ejection mechanism
Abstract
Recently, a stream of particles originating from the direction of begin {equation}ta Pictoris, a young main sequence star surrounded by a dust disc, has been reported (Baggaley \cite{baggaley-2000}). Standard mechanisms of particle ejection from a disc fail to reproduce the properties of this stream. We find that scattering by a giant proto-planet with properties taken from the literature is consistent with the observations. The fact that a straightforward ejection mechanism reproduces the data supports the identification of the particle stream's source with beta Pic. Our work also indicates that protoplanetary dust discs form a potentially rich source of large interstellar grains, as widely detected in the Solar System.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20030369
- Bibcode:
- 2003A&A...402L...5K
- Keywords:
-
- circumstellar matter;
- meteors;
- meteoroids;
- planetary systems;
- stars: individual: beta Pic