A Gap in a Pre-Transitional Disk

Planets in the disks around young stars may carve gaps or dynamically affect the disks. These so-called transitional and pre-transitional disks are therefore interesting as important stages in the development of planets. An international team led by Stefan Kraus (Harvard -Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics) has used multiple telescopes, including Gemini South, to resolve the disk around V1247 Orionis on physical scales of astronomical units, finding asymmetries and unambiguous evidence for a gap in the disk. The observations included an uncommon use of T-ReCS for mid-infrared imaging, using short exposures and interferometric analysis techniques, which show the disk asymmetry. The complete paper is published in The Astrophysical Journal.