NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0212
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0212 |
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PI: Tracy Beck, Space Telescope Science Institute, tbeck@stsci.edu
Address: 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
CoI: Rita Mann, Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
CoI: Jeff Bary, Colgate University
Title: Circumstellar Gas in Proto-Solar Nebula Analogs: NIFS Observations of Proplyd 253-1536
Abstract:
The formation of planetary systems is intimately connected to the properties
of the circumstellar disks in which they are formed. While most disk studies
have focused on nearby star forming regions like Taurus for their proximity,
most stars actually form in dense clusters near massive OB-stars like those
in Orion. Building on the success of our NIFS observations of H2 in
circumstellar disks in Taurus, we propose to observe the young binary
"proplyd" in Orion, 253-1536, to measure its molecular gas content. Although
molecular gas is the dominant constituent of circumstellar disks, (99% by
mass), it has not been spatially resolved toward any disks in Orion to date.
If we can spatially resolve the H2 emission from the disk, we can directly
estimate the mass of emitting molecular gas in these disks, and constrain the
gas-to-dust ratio for the first time in Orion. Our proposed observations will
allow more accurate measurements of the disk masses, and will constrain
models for the potential of disks to form planets in the typical birth
environment of most stars in our Galaxy.
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-0212 |
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