New Circumstellar Dust Creation in V838 Monocerotis

TL;DR

This study presents high-resolution mid-infrared imaging of V838 Monocerotis, revealing a recent dust creation event and a lack of earlier dust production within the past 900-1500 years.

Contribution

First high-resolution mid-infrared imaging showing recent circumstellar dust formation in V838 Monocerotis.

Findings

Detected increased flux indicating new dust creation in 2007.

Identified a gap in extended thermal emission suggesting no earlier dust events in past 900-1500 years.

Observed spatially extended thermal emission from 1860 to 93000 AU.

Abstract

We report high spatial resolution 11.2 and 18.1 micron imaging of the eruptive variable V838 Monocerotis, obtained with Gemini Observatory's Michelle in 2007 March. The 2007 flux density of the unresolved stellar core is roughly 2 times brighter than that observed in 2004. We interpret these data as evidence that V838 Mon has experienced a new circumstellar dust creation event. We also report a gap of spatially extended thermal emission over radial distances of 1860-93000 AU from the central source, which suggests that no prior significant circumstellar dust production events have occurred within the past 900-1500 years.