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Context: The geometry of the circumstellar envelopes (CSE) surrounding Bestars is still uncertain, although it is often assumed that they are formed bya disk around the stellar equator and a hot polar wind. Achernar (Alpha Eri) isthe nearest Be star, and we recently detected a CSE using near-IRinterferometry. Aims: Our initial goal was to constrain the geometry and fluxcontribution of the CSE of Achernar at distances of a few tens of AU from thestar, in the thermal IR domain to complement our near-IR interferometricobservations. Methods: We obtained diffraction-limited images of Achernar inthe thermal infrared using VISIR at the VLT. In order to freeze the turbulence,we used the BURST mode of this instrument. Results: The images obtained in thePAH1 band show a point-like source located 0.280" north-west of Achernar(projected linear separation of 12.3 AU). Its emission is 1.8 % of the flux ofAchernar in this band, but is not detected in the PAH2, SiC and NeII bands. Wealso provide new thermal IR photometry of Achernar in four bands. Conclusions:Being aligned with the expected azimuth of the equatorial plane of Achernar,the detected source could be a main sequence stellar companion. In this case,it apparent brightness would correspond to an A7V spectral type.

The environment of the fast rotating star Achernar - High-resolution thermal infrared imaging with VISIR in BURST mode