2001-2002 Colloquium Series

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NAU Liberal Arts (Bldg 18, Rm 135), Monday, 28 January 2002, 4:00 PM
(Refreshments at 3:45 PM)

EXTRA-SOLAR RINGS AND THE DISK PLANET CONNECTION

David Koerner , University of Pennsylvania.

Abstract

Accretion disks are detected around a large fraction of young stars and have masses sufficient to produce solar systems like our own. If their planet-forming efficiency is high, then planetary systems are extremely common. Observations of disks in the dispersal phase do indeed show evidence of orbiting planetary bodies in the form of gaps and rings. These have properties that are best explained as an outcome of particle interactions with orbiting bodies and suggest a planet-forming outcome for disks. Features include radial confinement, azimuthal asymmetries, and multiple orbital inclination angles within the same system. Recent mid-infrared imaging of these carried out with the Keck telescope is surveyed here, together with future plans for understanding disk evolution using Space Infrared Telescope Facility.
 

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