New companion candidate and spiral found in HD 142527's inner disk

Star system: HD 142527 | Distance from the Sun: 519 light years

HD 142527 is a young star with a complex disk and a known low-mass companion. Using advanced imaging techniques with VLT/SPHERE, astronomers explored the inner region of the system, searching for hidden companions and features that shape the disk. They confirmed and updated properties of the known companion, HD 142527 B, and identified a new candidate companion about 14 au from the star, which could be a young planet, brown dwarf, or a disk feature.

Additionally, the team discovered a tightly wound H-alpha spiral structure in the inner disk, reconstructed for the first time with high-contrast imaging. This spiral suggests dynamic accretion processes linked to the companions, indicating ongoing interactions that influence the disk's shape and possibly planet formation. These findings highlight the importance of multiple companions in driving disk asymmetries and the need for further observations to fully understand the system.

Key findings
- Confirmed and updated properties of companion HD 142527 B
- Identified a new candidate companion at ~14 au
- Discovered a tightly wound H-alpha spiral in the inner disk
- Evidence for dynamic accretion and interactions shaping the disk
- Results provide new insights into planet formation in complex disks

Scientific study

Exploration of the inner region of the system HD 142527 (external link)