Evidence for a circumplanetary disk around protoplanet PDS 70 b

Abstract

We present the first observational evidence for a circumplanetary disk around the protoplanet PDS~70~b, based on a new spectrum in the $K$ band acquired with VLT/SINFONI. We tested three hypotheses to explain the spectrum: Atmospheric emission from the planet with either (1) a single value of extinction or (2) variable extinction, and (3) a combined atmospheric and circumplanetary disk model. Goodness-of-fit indicators favour the third option, suggesting circumplanetary material contributing excess thermal emission --- most prominent at $\hat{I}»\gtrsim 2.3\hat{I}¼$m. Inferred accretion rates ($\sim 10^{-7.8}$--$10^{-7.3}{M}_J$ yr${}^{-1}$) are compatible with observational constraints based on the H$\hat{I}\pm$ and Br${\hat{I}}^3$ lines. For the planet, we derive an effective temperature of 1500--1600 K, surface gravity $\log (g)\sim 4.0$, radius $\sim 1.6R_J$, mass $\sim 10M_J$, and possible thick clouds. Models with variable extinction lead to slightly worse fits. However, the amplitude ($\hat{I}”A_V\gtrsim 3$mag) and timescale of variation ($\lesssim$~years) required for the extinction would also suggest circumplanetary material.

8 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in ApJL on 2019 May 12