Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy of a Young Extrasolar Kuiper Belt in the Nearest OB Association

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a young, Kuiper belt-like debris disk around HD 115600, observed with advanced imaging systems, providing insights into early planetary system evolution and Kuiper belt composition.

Contribution

First direct imaging and spectroscopy of a Kuiper belt analog around a young star using next-generation adaptive optics systems.

Findings

Debris disk has semi-major axis of ~48 AU, similar to Kuiper belt.

Disk shows neutral scattering and possible water-ice composition.

Eccentricity suggests sculpting by planetary bodies.

Abstract

We describe the discovery of a bright, young Kuiper belt-like debris disk around HD 115600, a $\sim$ 1.4--1.5 M$_\mathrm{\odot}$, $\sim$ 15 Myr old member of the Sco-Cen OB Association. Our H-band coronagraphy/integral field spectroscopy from the \textit{Gemini Planet Imager} shows the ring has a (luminosity scaled) semi major axis of ($\sim$ 22 AU) $\sim$ 48 AU, similar to the current Kuiper belt. The disk appears to have neutral scattering dust, is eccentric (e $\sim$ 0.1--0.2), and could be sculpted by analogues to the outer solar system planets. Spectroscopy of the disk ansae reveal a slightly blue to gray disk color, consistent with major Kuiper belt chemical constituents, where water-ice is a very plausible dominant constituent. Besides being the first object discovered with the next generation of extreme adaptive optics systems (i.e. SCExAO, GPI, SPHERE), HD 115600's debris ring and planetary system provides a key reference point for the early evolution of the solar system, the structure and composition of the Kuiper belt, and the interaction between debris disks and planets.