Infrared imaging reveals a faint point-like feature within the HD 169142 transitional disk, suggesting ongoing planet formation driven by an unknown heating source.
We report the detection of a faint point-like feature possibly related to ongoing planet-formation in the disk of the transition disk star HD 169142. The point-like feature has a Δmag( L ) ∼ 6.4, at a separation of ∼0 11 and position angle ∼0°. Given its lack of an H or K S counterpart despite its relative brightness, this candidate cannot be explained by purely photospheric emission and must be a disk feature heated by an as yet unknown source. Its extremely red colors make it highly unlikely to be a background object, but future multi-wavelength follow up is necessary for confirmation and characterization of this feature.
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