James Muzerolle et al 2009 ApJ 704 L15 doi:10.1088/0004-637X/704/1/L15
James Muzerolle1,2,11, Kevin Flaherty2, Zoltan Balog2,3, Elise Furlan4, Paul S. Smith2, Lori Allen5,6, Nuria Calvet7, Paola D'Alessio8, S. Thomas Megeath9, August Muench5, George H. Rieke2 and William H. Sherry10
Show affiliationsWe 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.
accretion, accretion disks; planetary systems: protoplanetary disks; stars: pre-main sequence
97.82.Jw Infrared excess; debris disks; protoplanetary disks; exo-zodiacal dust
Issue 1 (2009 October 10)
Received 2009 July 8, accepted for publication 2009 September 8
Published 2009 September 23
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