Abstract
In this paper we present multicolor images of the Beta Pictoris disk, obtained with a new Coronograph, built at STScI, for ESO's New Technology Telescope. These B, V, and R observations probe the Beta Pictoris circumstellar disk in to a distance of 35 AU (2”) from the central star. We derive surface brightness profiles for the disk and discuss the results in the context of two-component disk models (e.g. Backmanet al. 1992), which are based on fits to available optical and infrared data for Beta Pictoris's disk. These models generally imply that the disk is composed of 1) an outer disk extending from 100–1000 AU, with a midplane particle density decreasing as n(r) α r−3, 2) a transition region extending from 10–100 AU with lower density and either smaller grains or a less steep spatial gradient than the outer component, 3) an innermost “clear” zone with even lower density.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Clampin, M., Paresce, F., Robberto, M. et al. Multi-color coronographic imaging of the beta pictoris disk. Astrophys Space Sci 224, 399 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00667879
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00667879