Piercing the glare: A direct imaging search for planets in the Sirius system

C. Thalmann; T. Usuda; M. Kenworthy; M. Janson; E. E. Mamajek; W. Brandner; C. Dominik; M. Goto; Y. Hayano; T. Henning; P. M. Hinz; Y. Minowa; M. Tamura

doi:10.1088/2041-8205/732/2/L34

Piercing the glare: A direct imaging search for planets in the Sirius system

C. Thalmann, T. Usuda, M. Kenworthy, M. Janson, E. E. Mamajek, W. Brandner, C. Dominik, M. Goto, Y. Hayano, T. Henning, P. M. Hinz, Y. Minowa, M. Tamura

Astronomy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Astrometric monitoring of the Sirius binary system over the past century has yielded several predictions for an unseen third system component, the most recent one suggesting a ≲50 M_Jup object in a ∼6.3 year orbit around Sirius A. Here we present two epochs of high-contrast imaging observations performed with Subaru IRCS and AO188 in the 4.05 μm narrowband Br α filter. These data surpass previous observations by an order of magnitude in detectable companion mass, allowing us to probe the relevant separation range down to the planetary-mass regime (6-12 M_Jup at 1″, 2-4 M_Jup at 2″, and 1.6 M_Jup beyond 4″). We complement these data with one epoch of M-band observations from MMT/AO Clio, which reach comparable performance. No data set reveals any companion candidates above the 5σ level, allowing us to refute the existence of Sirius C as suggested by the previous astrometric analysis. Furthermore, our Br α photometry of Sirius B confirms the lack of an infrared excess beyond the white dwarf's blackbody spectrum.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	L34
Journal	Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume	732
Issue number	2 PART II
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/732/2/L34
State	Published - May 10 2011

Keywords

planetary systems
stars: individual (Sirius A, Sirius B)
techniques: high angular resolution
white dwarfs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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Piercing the glare : A direct imaging search for planets in the Sirius system. / Thalmann, C.; Usuda, T.; Kenworthy, M.; Janson, M.; Mamajek, E. E.; Brandner, W.; Dominik, C.; Goto, M.; Hayano, Y.; Henning, T.; Hinz, P. M.; Minowa, Y.; Tamura, M.

In: Astrophysical Journal Letters, Vol. 732, No. 2 PART II, L34, 10.05.2011.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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abstract = "Astrometric monitoring of the Sirius binary system over the past century has yielded several predictions for an unseen third system component, the most recent one suggesting a ≲50 MJup object in a ∼6.3 year orbit around Sirius A. Here we present two epochs of high-contrast imaging observations performed with Subaru IRCS and AO188 in the 4.05 μm narrowband Br α filter. These data surpass previous observations by an order of magnitude in detectable companion mass, allowing us to probe the relevant separation range down to the planetary-mass regime (6-12 MJup at 1″, 2-4 MJup at 2″, and 1.6 MJup beyond 4″). We complement these data with one epoch of M-band observations from MMT/AO Clio, which reach comparable performance. No data set reveals any companion candidates above the 5σ level, allowing us to refute the existence of Sirius C as suggested by the previous astrometric analysis. Furthermore, our Br α photometry of Sirius B confirms the lack of an infrared excess beyond the white dwarf's blackbody spectrum.",

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AU - Usuda, T.

AU - Kenworthy, M.

AU - Janson, M.

AU - Mamajek, E. E.

AU - Brandner, W.

AU - Dominik, C.

AU - Goto, M.

AU - Hayano, Y.

AU - Henning, T.

AU - Hinz, P. M.

AU - Minowa, Y.

AU - Tamura, M.

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N2 - Astrometric monitoring of the Sirius binary system over the past century has yielded several predictions for an unseen third system component, the most recent one suggesting a ≲50 MJup object in a ∼6.3 year orbit around Sirius A. Here we present two epochs of high-contrast imaging observations performed with Subaru IRCS and AO188 in the 4.05 μm narrowband Br α filter. These data surpass previous observations by an order of magnitude in detectable companion mass, allowing us to probe the relevant separation range down to the planetary-mass regime (6-12 MJup at 1″, 2-4 MJup at 2″, and 1.6 MJup beyond 4″). We complement these data with one epoch of M-band observations from MMT/AO Clio, which reach comparable performance. No data set reveals any companion candidates above the 5σ level, allowing us to refute the existence of Sirius C as suggested by the previous astrometric analysis. Furthermore, our Br α photometry of Sirius B confirms the lack of an infrared excess beyond the white dwarf's blackbody spectrum.

AB - Astrometric monitoring of the Sirius binary system over the past century has yielded several predictions for an unseen third system component, the most recent one suggesting a ≲50 MJup object in a ∼6.3 year orbit around Sirius A. Here we present two epochs of high-contrast imaging observations performed with Subaru IRCS and AO188 in the 4.05 μm narrowband Br α filter. These data surpass previous observations by an order of magnitude in detectable companion mass, allowing us to probe the relevant separation range down to the planetary-mass regime (6-12 MJup at 1″, 2-4 MJup at 2″, and 1.6 MJup beyond 4″). We complement these data with one epoch of M-band observations from MMT/AO Clio, which reach comparable performance. No data set reveals any companion candidates above the 5σ level, allowing us to refute the existence of Sirius C as suggested by the previous astrometric analysis. Furthermore, our Br α photometry of Sirius B confirms the lack of an infrared excess beyond the white dwarf's blackbody spectrum.

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