A Triple-Star System With a Misaligned and Warped Circumstellar Disk Shaped by Disk Tearing

Authors

Stefan Kraus, University of Exeter
Alexander Kreplin, University of Exeter
Alison K. Young, University of Exeter
Matthew R. Bate, University of Exeter
John D. Monnier, University of Michigan
Tim J. Harries, University of Exeter
Henning Avenhaus, Universidad de Valparaiso
Jacques Kluska, University of Exeter
Anna S. E. Laws, University of Exeter
Evan A. Rich, University of Michigan
Matthew Willson, University of Exeter
Alicia N. Aarnio, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Fred C. Adams, University of Michigan
Sean M. Andrews, Center for Astrophysics
Narsireddy Anugu, University of Exeter
Jaehan Bae, University of Michigan
Theo ten Brummelaar, The Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy Array of Georgia State University
Nuria Calvet, University of Michigan
Michel Curé, Universidad de Valparaiso
Claire L. Davies, University of Exeter
Jacob Ennis, University of Michigan
Catherine Espaillat, Boston University
Tyler Gardner, University of Michigan
Lee Hartmann, University of Michigan
Sasha Hinkley, University of Exeter
Aaron Labdon, University of Exeter
Cyprien Lanthermann, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Jean-Baptiste LeBouquin, University of Michigan
Gail H. Schaefer, The Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy Array of Georgia State University
Benjamin R. Setterholm, University of Michigan
Zhaohuan Zhu, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-4-2020

Publication Title

Science

Volume

369

Issue

6508

First page number:

1233

Last page number:

1238

Abstract

Young stars are surrounded by a circumstellar disk of gas and dust, within which planet formation can occur. Gravitational forces in multiple star systems can disrupt the disk. Theoretical models predict that if the disk is misaligned with the orbital plane of the stars, the disk should warp and break into precessing rings, a phenomenon known as disk tearing. We present observations of the triple-star system GW Orionis, finding evidence for disk tearing. Our images show an eccentric ring that is misaligned with the orbital planes and the outer disk. The ring casts shadows on a strongly warped intermediate region of the disk. If planets can form within the warped disk, disk tearing could provide a mechanism for forming wide-separation planets on oblique orbits.

Disciplines

Astrophysics and Astronomy | Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy

Language

English

Repository Citation

Kraus, S., Kreplin, A., Young, A. K., Bate, M. R., Monnier, J. D., Harries, T. J., Avenhaus, H., Kluska, J., Laws, A. S., Rich, E. A., Willson, M., Aarnio, A. N., Adams, F. C., Andrews, S. M., Anugu, N., Bae, J., ten Brummelaar, T., Calvet, N., Curé, M., Davies, C. L., Ennis, J., Espaillat, C., Gardner, T., Hartmann, L., Hinkley, S., Labdon, A., Lanthermann, C., LeBouquin, J., Schaefer, G. H., Setterholm, B. R., Zhu, Z. (2020). A Triple-Star System With a Misaligned and Warped Circumstellar Disk Shaped by Disk Tearing. Science, 369(6508), 1233-1238.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aba4633