Direct images and spectroscopy of a giant protoplanet driving spiral arms in MWC 758
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MWC758_NatAst_arXiv_v1.pdf
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Final Accepted Manuscript
Author
Wagner, Kevin
Stone, Jordan
Skemer, Andrew
Ertel, Steve
Dong, Ruobing

Apai, Dániel

Spalding, Eckhart
Leisenring, Jarron
Sitko, Michael

Kratter, Kaitlin
Barman, Travis
Marley, Mark
Miles, Brittany
Boccaletti, Anthony
Assani, Korash
Bayyari, Ammar
Uyama, Taichi

Woodward, Charles E.
Hinz, Phil
Briesemeister, Zackery
Lawson, Kellen
Ménard, François
Pantin, Eric
Russell, Ray W.
Skrutskie, Michael
Wisniewski, John
Affiliation
Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory, University of ArizonaLunar and Planetary Laboratory and Department of Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona
Issue Date
2023-07-06Keywords
Astronomy and Astrophysics
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Springer Science and Business Media LLCCitation
Wagner, K., Stone, J., Skemer, A. et al. Direct images and spectroscopy of a giant protoplanet driving spiral arms in MWC 758. Nat Astron 7, 1208–1217 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-023-02028-3Journal
Nature AstronomyRights
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2023.Collection Information
This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.Abstract
Understanding the driving forces behind spiral arms in protoplanetary disks remains a challenge due to the faintness of young giant planets. MWC 758 hosts such a protoplanetary disk with a two-armed spiral pattern that is suggested to be driven by an external giant planet. We present observations in the thermal infrared that are uniquely sensitive to redder (that is, colder, or more attenuated) planets than past observations at shorter wavelengths. We detect a giant protoplanet, MWC 758c, at a projected separation of roughly 100 au from the star. The spectrum of MWC 758c is distinct from the rest of the disk and consistent with emission from a planetary atmosphere with T eff = 500 ± 100 K for a low level of extinction (A V ≤ 30), or a hotter object with a higher level of extinction. Both scenarios are commensurate with the predicted properties of the companion responsible for driving the spiral arms. MWC 758c provides evidence that spiral arms in protoplanetary disks can be caused by cold giant planets or by those whose optical emission is highly attenuated. MWC 758c stands out both as one of the youngest giant planets known, and as one of the coldest and/or most attenuated. Furthermore, MWC 758c is among the first planets to be observed within a system hosting a protoplanetary disk.Note
6 month embargo; first published 06 July 2023EISSN
2397-3366Version
Final accepted manuscriptae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1038/s41550-023-02028-3