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arXiv · 1212.1459

Coronagraphic observations of Fomalhaut at solar system scales

M. A. Kenworthy·T. Meshkat·S. P. Quanz·J. H. Girard·M. R. Meyer·M. Kasper
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Abstract

We report on a search for low mass companions within 10 AU of the star Fomalhaut, using narrow band observations at 4.05 microns obtained with the Apodizing Phase Plate (APP) coronagraph on the VLT/NaCo. Our observations place a model dependent upper mass limit of 12-20 Jupiter masses from 4 to 10 AU, covering the semi-major axis search space between interferometric imaging measurements and other direct imaging non-detections. These observations rule out models where the large semi-major 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.

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M. A. Kenworthy, T. Meshkat, S. P. Quanz, J. H. Girard, M. R. Meyer, M. Kasper. 2012-12-06. Coronagraphic observations of Fomalhaut at solar system scales. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x%2F764%2F1%2F7

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