Evidence for Dynamical Changes in a Transitional Protoplanetary Disk with Mid-Infrared Variability

October 2009 • 2009ApJ...704L..15M

Authors • Muzerolle, James • Flaherty, Kevin • Balog, Zoltan • Furlan, Elise • Smith, Paul S. • Allen, Lori • Calvet, Nuria • D'Alessio, Paola • Megeath, S. Thomas • Muench, August • Rieke, George H. • Sherry, William H.

Abstract • We present multi-epoch Spitzer Space Telescope observations of the transitional disk LRLL 31 in the 2-3 Myr old star-forming region IC 348. Our measurements show remarkable mid-infrared variability on timescales as short as one week. The infrared continuum emission exhibits systematic wavelength-dependent changes that suggest corresponding dynamical changes in the inner disk structure and variable shadowing of outer disk material. We propose several possible sources for the structural changes, including a variable accretion rate or a stellar or planetary companion embedded in the disk. Our results indicate that variability studies in the infrared can provide important new constraints on protoplanetary disk behavior.

Links

• SIMBAD http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbo.pl?bibcode=2009ApJ...704L..15M
• PDF https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/704/1/L15/pdf
• PREPRINT http://arxiv.org/abs/0909.5201
• DATA https://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/bibdata/2009/M/2009ApJ...704L..15M.html
• ELECTR https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/704/1/L15