NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0157
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2010B-0157 |
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PI: Sean Brittain, Clemson University, sbritt@clemson.edu
Address: Physics Department, 118 Kinard Laboratory, Clemson, SC 29631, United States
CoI: Joan Najita, NOAO
CoI: John Carr, NRL
CoI: Greg Doppmann, NOAO
Title: Observation of Ro-vibrational OH Emission in Transitional Disks
Abstract: While the SEDs of transition objects are commonly interpreted as arising from the dynamical sculpting of the inner disk by a giant planet, other processes such as planetesimal formation and photoevaporation can produce similar SEDs. Luckily, these scenarios make different predictions for the radial distribution of the gaseous disk, allowing us to distinguish among them. Recent studies that have used [OI](lambda)6300Aand 4.7\micron CO fundamental emission to probe the radial distribution of gas in intermediate mass transition objects have yielded conflicting results regarding the nature of these systems. The OI observations have been interpreted to suggest the presence of OH in the inner disk, while the CO observations indicate that the inner disk is devoid of warm molecular gas. We propose to resolve the conflict by observing near-infrared OH emission. High- resolution spectra of the OH line profiles will allow us to compare the radial distribution of OH, CO and OI. The results of this study will clarify the evolutionary state of these transition objects and provide important constraints on the chemistry of inner disks.
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 > 2010B-0157 |
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