An Enigmatic Pointlike Feature within the HD 169142 Transitional Disk

Abstract

We report the detection of a faint pointlike feature possibly related to ongoing planet-formation in the disk of the transition disk star HD 169142. The pointlike feature has a $\hat{I}”$mag(L)$\sim$6.4, at a separation of $\sim$0.11" and PA$\sim$0${}^{\circ }$. Given its lack of an H or K${}_S$ counterpart despite its relative brightness, this candidate cannot be explained by purely photospheric emission and must be a disk feature heated by an as yet unknown source. Its extremely red colors make it highly unlikely to be a background object, but future multi-wavelength followup is necessary for confirmation and characterization of this feature.

Accepted to ApJ Letters, see also Reggiani et al. 2014