Physics – Optics
Scientific paper
Jan 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011aas...21730204h&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #217, #302.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 43, 2011
Physics
Optics
Scientific paper
We report the results of L-band non-redundant aperture masking observations of the HR 8799 system obtained during two dedicated nights at Keck 2 using the NIRC2 camera operating with adaptive optics. With these measurements we are able to place upper limits on any massive additional companions to the system within 300 miliarcseconds ( 12 AU) of the star. We are able to reach contrasts of roughly 10^-2 at several tens of miliarcseconds (a few AUs) and at least 10^-3 at 50-300 miliarcseconds ( 2 - 12 AUs). A key feature of aperture masking is its ability to reach contrasts approaching 10^-3 well within the Keck L-band diffraction limit ( 70 mas), impossible with direct imaging. The small inner working angle afforded by aperture masking thus naturally complements direct imaging techniques such as Angular Differential Imaging which are very sensitive at inner working angles beyond 500 miliarcseconds. At these contrasts we are able to probe planetary masses several times that of the three known companions themselves (7 to 10 Jupiter masses), and these observations will help complete our understanding of the true distribution of companions in this system. We will present robust detection limits derived using both our observing nights combined together, and derive upper limits to close-in companions from these limits. The presence or lack of additional companions at small inner working angles out of reach to the direct imaging techniques will have significant implications for the dynamical understanding of this intriguing system.
This work was performed [in part] under contract with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) funded by NASA through the Sagan Fellowship Program.
Carpenter John Michael
Hinkley Sasha
Ireland Mike
Kraus Adam L.
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