Resolved Mid-Infrared Emission around AB Aurigae and V892 Tauri with Adaptive Optics Nulling Interferometric Observations

Abstract

We present the results of adaptive optics nulling interferometric observations of two Herbig Ae stars, AB Aur and V892 Tau. Our observations at 10.3 μm show resolved circumstellar emission from both sources. Further analysis of the AB Aur emission suggests that there is an inclined disk surrounding the star. The diameter of the disk is derived to be 24-30 AU with an inclination of 45°-65° from face-on and a major-axis position angle of 30° ± 15° (east of north). Differences in the physical characteristics between the mid-IR emission and emission at other wavelengths (near-IR and millimeter), found in previous studies, suggest a complex structure for AB Aur's circumstellar environment, which may not be explained by a disk alone. The similarity in the observed size of AB Aur's resolved emission and that of another Herbig Ae star, HD 100546, is likely coincidental, as their respective evolutionary states and spectral energy distributions suggest significantly different circumstellar environments.