Free access article

A&A 451, 351-355 (2006)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20064803

The origins of the substellar companion to GQ Lupi

J. H. Debes and S. Sigurdsson

Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
    e-mail: debes@astro.psu.edu

(Received 3 January 2006 / Accepted 2 February 2006)

Abstract
The recently discovered substellar companion to GQ Lup possibly represents a direct test of current planet formation theories. We examine the possible formation scenarios for the companion to GQ Lup assuming it is a ~2  object. We determine that GQ Lup B most likely was scattered into a large, eccentric orbit by an interaction with another planet in the inner system. If this is the case, several directly observable predictions can be made, including the presence of a more massive, secondary companion that could be detected through astrometry, radial velocity measurements, or sculpting in GQ Lup's circumstellar disk. This scenario requires a highly eccentric orbit for the companion already detected. These predictions can be tested within the next decade or so. Additionally, we look at scenarios of formation if the companion is a brown dwarf. One possible formation scenario may involve an interaction between a brown dwarf binary and GQ Lup. We look for evidence of any brown dwarfs that have been ejected from the GQ Lup system by searching the 2MASS all-sky survey.

Key words: stars: individual: GQ Lup -- planets and satellites: formation -- stars: low-mass, brown dwarfs

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© ESO 2006

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