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Abstract
tau Ceti is a nearby, mature G-type star very similar to our Sun, with a massive Kuiper Belt analogue and possible multiplanet system that has been compared to our Solar system. We present Herschel Space Observatory images of the debris disc, finding the disc is resolved at 70 mu m and 160 mu m, and marginally resolved at 250 mu m. The Herschel images and infrared photometry from the literature are best modelled using a wide dust annulus with an inner edge between 1 and 10 au and an outer edge at similar to 55 au, inclined from face-on by 35 degrees +/- 10 degrees, and with no significant azimuthal structure. We model the proposed tightly packed planetary system of five super-Earths and find that the innermost dynamically stable disc orbits are consistent with the inner edge found by the observations. The photometric modelling, however, cannot rule out a disc inner edge as close to the star as 1 au, though larger distances produce a better fit to the data. Dynamical modelling shows that the five-planet system is stable with the addition of a Neptune or smaller mass planet on an orbit outside 5 au, where the radial velocity data analysis would not have detected a planet of this mass.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2665-2675 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 444 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 12 Sept 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2014 |
Keywords
- planets and satellites: dynamical evolution and stability
- planet-disc
- interactions
- circumstellar matter
- stars: individual: tau Ceti
- Main-sequence stars
- Low-mass planets
- All-sky survey
- Beta-pictoris
- HR 8799
- Spire instrument
- Dust content
- Alignment
- Emission
- Rotation
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Dive into the research topics of 'The debris disc of solar analogue tau Ceti: Herschel observations and dynamical simulations of the proposed multiplanet system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Astrophysics at St Andrews:2012 - 2014: Astrophysics at St Andrews: 2012 - 2014
Horne, K. D. (PI)
Science & Technology Facilities Council
1/10/11 → 31/03/12
Project: Standard