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Alma Images the Eccentric HD 53143 Debris DiskWe present ALMA 1.3 mm observations of the HD 53143 debris disk—the first infrared or millimeter image produced of this ∼1 Gyr old solar analog. Previous HST STIS coronagraphic imaging did not detect flux along the minor axis of the disk, which could suggest a face-on geometry with two clumps of dust. These ALMA observations reveal a disk with a strikingly different structure. In order to fit models to the millimeter visibilities and constrain the uncertainties on the disk parameters, we adopt a Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach. This is the most eccentric debris disk observed to date with a forced eccentricity of 0.21 ± 0.02, nearly twice that of the Fomalhaut debris disk, and also displays an apocenter glow. Although this eccentric model fits the outer debris disk well, significant interior residuals remain, which may suggest a possible edge-on inner disk, which remains unresolved in these observations. Combined with the observed structure difference between HST and ALMA, these results suggest a potential previous scattering event or dynamical instability in this system. We also note that the stellar flux changes considerably over the course of our observations, suggesting flaring at millimeter wavelengths. Using simultaneous TESS observations, we determine the stellar rotation period to be 9.6 ± 0.1 days.
Document ID
20230002586
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Meredith A. MacGregor ORCID
(University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado, United States)
Spencer A. Hurt ORCID
(University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado, United States)
Christopher C. Stark
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Ward S. Howard ORCID
(University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado, United States)
Alycia J. Weinberger ORCID
(Carnegie Institution for Science Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)
Bin Ren ORCID
(Grenoble Alpes University Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France)
Glenn Schneider ORCID
(University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona, United States)
Elodie Choquet ORCID
(Aix-Marseille University Marseille, France)
Dmitri Mawet ORCID
(California Institute of Technology Pasadena, California, United States)
Date Acquired
February 24, 2023
Publication Date
June 28, 2022
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal Letters
Publisher: American Astronomical Society / IOP Publishing
Volume: 933
Issue: 1
Issue Publication Date: July 1, 2022
ISSN: 2041-8205
e-ISSN: 2041-8213
Subject Category
Solar Physics
Astrophysics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 411672
CONTRACT_GRANT: 19-ICAR19_2-0041
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Technical Review
External Peer Committee
Keywords
Radio astronomy
Submillimeter astronomy
Circumstellar disks
Exoplanet formation
Debris disks
Planet formation
Exoplanet dynamics
Exoplanet evolution
Stellar activity
Stellar flares
Starspots
Stellar physics
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