Subaru Imaging of Asymmetric Features in a Transitional Disk in Upper Scorpius

TL;DR

This study presents high-resolution near-infrared polarized images of a transitional disk in Upper Scorpius, revealing asymmetries, an inner hole, and potential signs of unseen bodies influencing disk structure.

Contribution

First high-resolution infrared polarized imaging of this disk showing asymmetries, inner hole, and arc features, suggesting possible unseen planetary bodies.

Findings

Resolved face-on disk with a large inner hole.

Detected asymmetry with a dip at P.A. ~85°.

Observed an elongated arc extending inward from the inner edge.

Abstract

We report high-resolution (0.07 arcsec) near-infrared polarized intensity images of the circumstellar disk around the star 2MASS J16042165-2130284 obtained with HiCIAO mounted on the Subaru 8.2 m telescope. We present our $H$-band data, which clearly exhibits a resolved, face-on disk with a large inner hole for the first time at infrared wavelengths. We detect the centrosymmetric polarization pattern in the circumstellar material as has been observed in other disks. Elliptical fitting gives the semimajor axis, semiminor axis, and position angle (P.A.) of the disk as 63 AU, 62 AU, and -14 $^{\circ}$, respectively. The disk is asymmetric, with one dip located at P.A.s of $\sim85^{\circ}$. Our observed disk size agrees well with a previous study of dust and CO emission at submillimeter wavelength with Submillimeter Array. Hence, the near-infrared light is interpreted as scattered light reflected from the inner edge of the disk. Our observations also detect an elongated arc (50 AU) extending over the disk inner hole. It emanates at the inner edge of the western side of the disk, extending inward first, then curving to the northeast. We discuss the possibility that the inner hole, the dip, and the arc that we have observed may be related to the existence of unseen bodies within the disk.