Detection of Infrared Excess in the V1298 Tau Planetary System Using a Spectral Energy Distribution Model

Abstract

When large planetesimals in the systems of young stars collide, they produce debris that is heated up by stellar irradiation and consequently re-emits that radiation in the infrared, causing an excess of infrared flux from the system than would be expected from the star alone. Infrared wavelength flux density differences between spectrophotometry of the T-Tauri star V1298 Tau and a Spectral Energy Distribution model fit show evidence for a marginal infrared excess around V1298 Tau, which could be attributed to a debris disk around the star. The young T-Tauri star V1298 Tau has previously been shown to host four transiting exoplanets, so characterizing the potential debris disk around the V1298 Tau system will help link the planet formation process to the nature and evolution of debris disks.