Origin of the bright feature north of the TWA 20 disk

Determine whether the bright feature at approximately ΔRA ≈ 0.0 arcsec and ΔDEC ≈ +1.0 arcsec observed in JWST/NIRCam coronagraphic images of the TWA 20 system is associated with the TWA 20 debris disk or is a background source, and ascertain its physical origin.

Background

The JWST/NIRCam coronagraphic observations reveal a debris disk around the M3 star TWA 20. In the deconvolved and RDI-processed images, the authors note an additional bright structure located roughly at ΔRA ≈ 0.0 arcsec, ΔDEC ≈ +1.0 arcsec. While its color relative to the main disk is small in both F200W and F444W filters—hinting it could be part of the disk—the feature does not resemble a planetary PSF, and its nature remains uncertain.

Clarifying whether this structure is intrinsic to the TWA 20 disk (e.g., a non-axisymmetric feature) or is due to a background source is important because it may bias the inferred disk surface brightness and geometric parameters. The authors suggest that follow-up modeling, potentially allowing eccentric or non-axisymmetric morphologies, could help resolve its origin.