NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0180
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0180 |
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PI: Josh Eisner, University of Arizona, jeisner@email.arizona.edu
Address: Astronomy Department, 933 N. Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Title: Imaging Sub-AU-Sized Regions of Protoplanetary Disks in the near-IR
Abstract:
The structure of protoplanetary disks within 1 AU of their central
stars has important implications for terrestrial planet formation, giant
planet migration, and disk accretion. Near-IR interferometry presents
the unique opportunity to spatially resolve inner disk regions, and
recent observations have constrained the distributions of both gas and
dust at sub-AU radii. Recent enhancements to CHARA enable observations
of a number of protoplanetary disks around T Tauri and Herbig Ae/Be
stars, and the recovery of both amplitudes and closure phases. From
these measurements, simple images can be reconstructed. Here we propose
detailed observations of a handful of protoplanetary disks to produce
simple images. With these images, we will probe global asymmetries in
inner disk regions and look for bright ``spots'', gaps, or other
structures that may indicate planet formation.
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 > 2011A-0180 |
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