NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009A-0452
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009A-0452 |
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PI: Greg W. Doppmann, NOAO, gdoppmann@noao.edu
Address: 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
CoI: Joan Najita, NOAO
CoI: Josh A. Eisner, Steward Observatory
CoI: Don McCarthy, Steward Observatory
CoI: Craig Kulesa, Steward Observatory
Title: Origin of the Hot Compact Excess in Circumstellar Disks
Abstract: Several recent interferometric studies have reported evidence for a bright compact source of NIR excess \it interior to the dust sublimation radius in circumstellar disks surrounding Herbig AeBe stars and T Tauri stars. The excess has been interpreted as emission from hot gas, although the specific origin of the excess is a matter of debate. In addition to various possible gaseous opacity sources (water, H^-, electron free-free), a high temperature condensate (e.g., graphite) may also contribute to the excess in some cases. We propose to obtain high resolution K-band spectra of a sample of sources with hot compact excesses in order to constrain the origin of the excess. If we detect line emission (CO, water, OH) from any of our targets, our observations will be able to constrain the inward extent of the gaseous disk in these systems. The proposed observations will provide unique insights into both the nature of the hot compact excess in circumstellar disks and the physical and chemical state of the inner disk.
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 > 2009A-0452 |
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