Simultaneous Spectral Energy Distribution and Near-infrared Interferometry Modeling of HD 142666

Abstract

Abstract We present comprehensive models of the Herbig Ae star, HD 142666, which aim to simultaneously explain its spectral energy distribution (SED) and near-infrared (NIR) interferometry. Our new submilliarcsecond resolution CHARA (CLASSIC and CLIMB) interferometric observations, supplemented with archival shorter baseline data from VLTI/PIONIER and the Keck Interferometer, are modeled using centrosymmetric geometric models and an axisymmetric radiative transfer code. CHARA’s 330 m baselines enable us to place strong constraints on the viewing geometry, revealing a disk inclined at 58° from face-on with a 160° major axis position angle. Disk models imposing vertical hydrostatic equilibrium provide poor fits to the SED. Models accounting for disk scale height inflation, possibly induced by turbulence associated with magnetorotational instabilities, and invoking grain growth to ≳1 μm size in the disk rim are required to simultaneously reproduce the SED and measured visibility profile. However, visibility residuals for our best model fits to the SED indicate the presence of unexplained NIR emission, particularly along the apparent disk minor axis, while closure phase residuals indicate a more centrosymmetric emitting region. In addition, our inferred 58° disk inclination is inconsistent with a disk-based origin for the UX Ori-type variability exhibited by HD 142666. Additional complexity, unaccounted for in our models, is clearly present in the NIR-emitting region. We propose that the disk is likely inclined toward a more edge-on orientation and/or an optically thick outflow component also contributes to the NIR circumstellar flux.