Outermost planets of Beta Pictoris, Vega and Epsilon Eridani: goals for direct imaging

Abstract

We discuss our numerical approach to the high-resolution modeling of the 3D structure and infrared emission of circumstellar dust disks. We examine the resonant structures of a dusty disk induced by the presence of giant planet, that outermost from a star. These features can serve as indicators of outermost planets embedded in the circumstellar dust disk and, moreover, can be used to determine its position, major orbital parameters and even the mass of the planet. Such planets are attractive goals for direct imaging. Our simulations indicate that Vega may have a massive planet $\sim$2 Jupiter mass at a distance ${>}50$ AU, and other giant planet(s) at a smaller distance, and Epsilon Eri may have a less massive planet $\sim$0.2 Jovian mass at a distance of 55–60 AU. Theoretical models and non-direct observations show that Beta Pictoris system can be a multiplanetary system with set of giant planets. Our dynamical model of the origin of the warping of the Beta Pictoris disk includes the gravitational influence of a planet with a mass of about 10 masses of Earth, at a distance of 70 AU, and a small inclination (2.5 deg) of the planetary orbit to the main dust disk. The direct signatures of this planet were discovered on 2002 by Keck observations.