Evidence for Dynamical Changes in a Transitional Protoplanetary Disk With Mid-Infrared Variability

We present multi-epoch Spitzer Space Telescope observations of the transitional disk LRLL 31 in the 2–3 Myr old star-forming region IC 348. Our measurements show remarkable mid-infrared variability on timescales as short as one week. The infrared continuum emission exhibits systematic wavelength-dependent changes that suggest corresponding dynamical changes in the inner disk structure and variable shadowing of outer disk material. We propose several possible sources for the structural changes, including a variable accretion rate or a stellar or planetary companion embedded in the disk. Our results indicate that variability studies in the infrared can provide important new constraints on protoplanetary disk behavior.