# The beta Pictoris system: Setting constraints on the planet and the disk structures at mid-IR wavelengths with NEAR

**Authors:** Nour Skaf, Anthony Boccaletti, Eric Pantin, Philippe Thebault, Quentin Kral, Camilla Danielski, Raphael Galicher, Julien Milli, Anne-Marie Lagrange, Clement Baruteau, Matthew Kenworthy, Olivier Absil, Maud Langlois, Johan Olofsson, Gael Chauvin, Nuria Huelamo, Philippe Delorme, Benjamin Charnay, Olivier Guyon, Michael Bonnefoy  
**arXiv:** [2303.15155](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.15155)  
**Date:** 2023-03-27  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/arxiv-id/2303.15155v1/

## Key points

- Skaf et al. analyzed mid-infrared high-contrast coronagraphic images of the Beta Pictoris system using the NEAR experiment and VLT/VISIR instrument
- The aim was to investigate detection of planet Beta Pictoris b and disk features at mid-infrared wavelengths
- Multiple epochs of observation were combined to constrain positions of known clumps and improve knowledge on disk dynamics
- Photometry was extracted to evaluate the planet b flux contribution and compared to published literature data
- Previous data from T-ReCS and VISIR were used to study the evolution of a southwest clump initially observed in 2003
- Planet b was not detected, but constraints were put on circumplanetary material's presence, ruling out a Saturn-like planetary ring around it
- Several noticeable structures in the disk were found, including a known southwest clump orbiting in Keplerian motion with an sma value of 56.1+-0.4 au
- A second clump on the northeast side of the disk and fainter closer structures yet to be confirmed were also observed
- Correlations between CO clumps detected with ALMA and mid-infrared images suggest that Keplerian motion of southwestern clump is possibly indicative either of a yet-to-be-detected planet or signals vortex presence in this region.
- If circumplanetary material were located at Roche radius, then dust determined from flux upper limit around beta Pictoris b would correspond to an asteroid mass equivalent to 5 km in diameter maximum.
- These results provide new insights into understanding planetary systems' formation and evolution as well as constraints on circumplanetary material's presence around Beta Pictoris b which rules out a Saturn like planetary ring around it.

## Summary

In their recent study, Skaf et al. analyzed mid-infrared high-contrast coronagraphic images of the beta Pictoris system using the NEAR experiment and the VLT/VISIR instrument. The aim of their analysis was to investigate both the detection of the planet beta Pictoris b and of the disk features at mid-IR wavelengths. By combining several epochs of observation, they expected to constrain the position of known clumps and improve knowledge on disk dynamics. The team extracted photometry to evaluate the planet b flux contribution and compared it to published literature data. They also used previous data from T-ReCS and VISIR to study the evolution of a southwest clump initially observed in 2003. Although Skaf et al. did not detect planet b, they were able to put constraints on circumplanetary material's presence, ruling out a Saturn-like planetary ring around it. The disk presented several noticeable structures, including a known southwest clump. Using five epochs of observations over a 16-year baseline, they examined this clump's evolution and found that it orbits in Keplerian motion with an sma of 56.1+-0.4 au. In addition to this known clump, Skaf et al. 's images clearly showed a second clump on the northeast side of the disk and fainter and closer structures yet to be confirmed. They found correlations between CO clumps detected with ALMA and mid-IR images which suggest that Keplerian motion of southwestern clump is possibly indicative either of a yet-to-be-detected planet or signals vortex presence in this region. If circumplanetary material were located at Roche radius, then dust determined from flux upper limit around beta Pictoris b would correspond to an asteroid mass equivalent to 5 km in diameter maximum. Overall, these results provide new insights into understanding planetary systems' formation and evolution as well as constraints on circumplanetary material's presence around Beta Pictoris b which rules out a Saturn like planetary ring around it.. In their recent study, Skaf et al analyzed mid-infrared high contrast coronagraphic images of the Beta Pictoris system using the NEAR experiment and VLT/VISIR instrument with an aim to investigate both detection of planet Beta Pictoris b as well as disk features at mid infrared wavelengths by combining multiple epochs observation for constraining positions of known clumps as well as improving knowledge on disk dynamics through extracting photometry for evaluating flux contribution from Planet B along with comparing it with published literature data while also using previous data from T ReCS & VISIR for studying evolution of southwest clump initially observed in 2003 though without detecting Planet B but putting constraints on circumplanetary materials’ presence ruling out Saturn like planetary rings around it while noticing several structures including known southwest clump orbiting in Keplerian motion with sma value 56 1 + - 0 4 au along with second northeast side & fainter closer structures yet unconfirmed correlating CO Clumps detected by ALMA & mid IR images suggesting possibility for yet undetected planets or vortexes present in region if circumplanetary materials located at Roche Radius then dust determined from flux upper limit corresponding asteroid mass equivalent 5 km diameter maximum providing new insights into understanding planetary systems’ formation & evolution along with constraints on circumplanetary materials’ presence ruling out Saturn like planetary rings around Planet B .