An Enigmatic Pointlike Feature within the HD 169142 Transitional Disk

摘要

We report the detection of a faint pointlike feature possibly related toongoing planet-formation in the disk of the transition disk star HD 169142. Thepointlike feature has a $\Delta$mag(L)$\sim$6.4, at a separation of $\sim$0.11"and PA$\sim$0$^{\circ}$. Given its lack of an H or K$_{S}$ counterpart despiteits relative brightness, this candidate cannot be explained by purelyphotospheric emission and must be a disk feature heated by an as yet unknownsource. Its extremely red colors make it highly unlikely to be a backgroundobject, but future multi-wavelength followup is necessary for confirmation andcharacterization of this feature.