A deep search for planets in the inner 15 au around Vega

TL;DR

This study used high-contrast imaging to search for planets within 15 au of Vega, setting new limits on potential companions and providing the deepest data with the P1640 instrument.

Contribution

First deep high-contrast imaging survey around Vega with P1640, establishing the most sensitive limits at small separations and constraining possible planetary influences.

Findings

No low-mass companions detected around Vega.

Set new upper limits on planet brightness at 2-15 au.

Provided the deepest contrast limits with P1640 to date.

Abstract

We present the results of a deep high-contrast imaging search for planets around Vega. Vega is an ideal target for high-contrast imaging because it is bright, nearby, and young with a face-on two-belt debris disk which may be shaped by unseen planets. We obtained $J-$ and $H-$band data on Vega with the coronagraphic integral-field spectrograph Project 1640 (P1640) at Palomar Observatory. Two nights of data were obtained in 2016, in poor seeing conditions, and two additional nights in more favorable conditions in 2017. In total, we obtained 5.5 hours of integration time on Vega in moderate to good seeing conditions (<1.5"). We did not detect any low mass companions in this system. Our data present the most sensitive contrast limits around Vega at very small separations (2-15 au) thus far, allowing us to place new constraints on the companions which may be sculpting the Vega system. In addition to new constraints, as the deepest data obtained with P1640, these observations form the final legacy of the now decommissioned instrument.