Constraining the presence of giant planets in two-belt debris disk systems with VLT/SPHERE direct imaging and dynamical arguments

TL;DR

This study uses VLT/SPHERE imaging and dynamical analysis to constrain the presence of giant planets in two-belt debris disk systems, providing limits on planet masses and informing future detections.

Contribution

It combines direct imaging with dynamical arguments to set mass constraints on potential planets between debris belts, advancing understanding of planetary system architectures.

Findings

Dynamical lower mass limit for planets is around 0.2 M_J.

Imaging sensitivity reaches down to approximately 1.7-3.6 M_J.

Many potential planets could be detectable with next-generation instruments.

Abstract

Giant, wide-separation planets often lie in the gap between multiple, distinct rings of circumstellar debris: this is the case for the HR\,8799 and HD\,95086 systems, and even the solar system where the Asteroid and Kuiper belts enclose the four gas and ice giants. In the case that a debris disk, inferred from an infrared excess in the SED, is best modelled as two distinct temperatures, we infer the presence of two spatially separated rings of debris. Giant planets may well exist between these two belts of debris, and indeed could be responsible for the formation of the gap between these belts. We observe 24 such two-belt systems using the VLT/SPHERE high contrast imager, and interpret our results under the assumption that the gap is indeed formed by one or more giant planets. A theoretical minimum mass for each planet can then be calculated, based on the predicted dynamical timescales to clear debris. The typical dynamical lower limit is $\sim$0.2$M_J$ in this work, and in some cases exceeds 1$M_J$. Direct imaging data, meanwhile, is typically sensitive to planets down to $\sim$3.6$M_J$ at 1'', and 1.7$M_J$ in the best case. Together, these two limits tightly constrain the possible planetary systems present around each target, many of which will be detectable with the next generation of high-contrast imagers.