Coronagraphic Search for Extrasolar Planets around ɛ Eri and Vega

We present the results of a coronagraphic imaging search for extrasolar planets around the young main-sequence stars ɛ Eri and Vega. Concentrating the stellar light into the core of the point-spread function by the adaptive optic system and blocking the core by the occulting mask in the coronagraph, we have achieved the highest sensitivity for point sources in close vicinity of the both central stars. Nonetheless, we had no secure detection of a point source around the stars. The observations give the upper limits on the masses of the planets to (4-6)M_J and (5-10)M_J at a few arcseconds from ɛ Eri and Vega, respectively. Diffuse structures are also not detected around both stars.

Based on data collected at the Subaru Telescope, which is operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.