NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001A-0127
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001A-0127 |
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PI: Mario E. van den Ancker, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, mvandenancker@cfa.harvard.edu
Address: 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Title: High resolution spectroscopy of protoplanetary disks in Herbig Ae/Be systems
Abstract:
The evolution of material in disks surrounding pre-main sequence
stars is one of the most important, yet poorly understood, processes
relating to the question of the origin of planetary systems. Several
tracers of circumstellar material have been used to study protoplanetary
disks in Herbig Ae/Be stars (HAeBes), with varying degrees of success.
However, optical spectroscopy in forbidden emission lines, as is used
commonly in studies of T Tauri stars, has so far hardly been used. In a
pilot study we have obtained [O I] 6300.2 spectra of a few HAeBes which
can be well reproduced by simple disk models. In order to verify this
simple interpretation and to investigate the correlation between line
profiles of forbidden emission lines and other tracers of circumstellar
material in HAeBes, such as infrared solid-state bands and submm fluxes,
we here propose to use the echelle spectrograph on the KPNO 4 m
telescope to obtain high spectral resolution, high S/N [O I] 6300.2
spectroscopy of a sample of northern Herbig Ae/Be stars. A similar
proposal has been submitted to ESO for the southern sources in our list.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2001A-0127 |
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