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# ALMA observations of the $$\eta$$ Corvi debris disc: inward scattering of CO-rich exocomets by a chain of 3-30 M$$_\oplus$$ planets?

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### Abstract

While most of the known debris discs present cold dust at tens of AU, a few young systems exhibit hot dust analogous to the Zodiacal dust. $$\eta$$ Corvi is particularly interesting as it is old and it has both, with its hot dust significantly exceeding the maximum luminosity of an in-situ collisional cascade. Previous work suggested that this system could be undergoing an event similar to the Late Heavy Bombardment (LHB) soon after or during a dynamical instability. Here we present ALMA observations of $$\eta$$ Corvi with a resolution of 1."2 (~22au) to study its outer belt. The continuum emission is consistent with an axisymmetric belt, with a mean radius of 152au and radial FWHM of 46au, which is too narrow compared to models of inward scattering of an LHB-like scenario. Instead, the hot dust could be explained as material passed inwards in a rather stable planetary configuration. We also report a 4sigma detection of CO at ~ 20au. CO could be released in situ from icy planetesimals being passed in when crossing the H$$_2$$O or CO$$_2$$ ice lines. Finally, we place constraints on hidden planets in the disc. If a planet is sculpting the disc's inner edge, this should be orbiting at 75-100au, with a mass of 3-30 M$$_\oplus$$ and an eccentricity < 0.08. Such a planet would be able to clear its chaotic zone on a timescale shorter than the age of the system and scatter material inwards from the outer belt to the inner regions, thus feeding the hot dust.

### Most cited references2

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### The Joker A Custom Monte Carlo Sampler for Binary-star and Exoplanet Radial Velocity Data

(2017)
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### Pluto and Charon: Formation, Seasons, Composition

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### Author and article information

###### Journal
2016-11-03
###### Article
1611.01168