UV-Optical Emission of AB Aur b is Consistent with Scattered Stellar Light

TL;DR

New UV and optical images of AB Aur b suggest its emission is consistent with scattered stellar light rather than a protoplanet, challenging previous interpretations based on near-infrared data.

Contribution

This study provides multi-band imaging evidence that reinterprets AB Aur b as scattered light, not a protoplanet, highlighting the importance of UV and optical observations in disk analysis.

Findings

AB Aur b's emission matches scattered light models.

Its spectral energy distribution mimics early-type stars.

The emission is inconsistent with planetary photospheric models.

Abstract

The proposed protoplanet AB Aur b is a spatially concentrated emission source imaged in the mm-wavelength disk gap of the Herbig Ae/Be star AB Aur. Its near-infrared spectrum and absence of strong polarized light have been interpreted as evidence supporting the protoplanet interpretation. However, the complex scattered light structures in the AB Aur disk pose challenges in resolving the emission source and interpreting the true nature of AB Aur b. We present new images of the AB Aur system obtained using the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 in the ultraviolet (UV) and optical bands. AB Aur b and the known disk spirals are recovered in the F336W, F410M, and F645N bands. The spectral energy distribution of AB Aur b shows absorption in the Balmer jump, mimicking those of early-type stars. By comparing the colors of AB Aur b to those of the host star, the disk spirals, and predictions from scattered light and self-luminous models, we find that the emission from AB Aur b is inconsistent with planetary photospheric or accretion shock models. Instead, it is consistent with those measured in the circumstellar disks that trace scattered light. We conclude that the UV and visible emission from AB Aur b does not necessitate the presence of a protoplanet. We synthesize observational constraints on AB Aur b and discuss inconsistent interpretations of AB Aur b among different datasets. Considering the significance of the AB Aur b discovery, we advocate for further observational evidence to verify its planetary nature.