Kinematic Evidence for an Embedded Protoplanet in a Circumstellar Disk
Pinte, C.; Ménard, F.; Duchêne, G.; Hill, T.; Dent, W. R. F.; Hales, A.; de Gregorio-Monsalvo, I.; Price, D. J.; Mentiplay, D.
Australia, France, United States, Chile
Abstract
Disks of gas and dust surrounding young stars are the birthplace of planets. However, the direct detection of protoplanets forming within disks has proved elusive to date. We present the detection of a large, localized deviation from Keplerian velocity in the protoplanetary disk surrounding the young star HD 163296. The observed velocity pattern is consistent with the dynamical effect of a two-Jupiter-mass planet orbiting at a radius ≈260 au from the star.