Coronagraphic Observations of Fomalhaut at Solar System Scales
Abstract
We report on a search for low mass companions within 10 AU of the star Fomalhaut, using narrowband observations at 4.05 μm obtained with the Apodizing Phase Plate coronagraph on the VLT/NaCo. Our observations place a model-dependent upper mass limit of 12-20 M jup from 4 to 10 AU, covering the semimajor axis search space between interferometric imaging measurements and other direct imaging non-detections. These observations rule out models where the large semimajor axis for the putative candidate companion Fomalhaut b is explained by dynamical scattering from a more massive companion in the inner stellar system, where such giant planets are thought to form.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0004-637X/764/1/7
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1212.1459
- Bibcode:
- 2013ApJ...764....7K
- Keywords:
-
- instrumentation: high angular resolution;
- planetary systems;
- planets and satellites: detection;
- stars: individual: Fomalhaut;
- techniques: high angular resolution;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics;
- Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 18 pages, 4 figures, to be published in ApJ