NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0400
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0400 |
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PI: Charles Telesco, University of Florida, telesco@astro.ufl.edu
Address: Department of Astronomy, PO Box 112055, 211 Bryant Space Science Center, Gainesville, FL, 32611-2055, USA
CoI: Dan Li, University of Florida
CoI: Margaret Moerchen, European Southern Observatory
CoI: Chris Wright, University of New South Wales
Title: Resolving an Asteroid Belt in a Multi-Planet System
Abstract:
We propose to use MICHELLE at Gemini North to image at 11.6 microns a dust
ring associated with the possible asteroid belt in the HR 8799 planetary
system where three planets have been imaged (Marois et al. 2008). Our goal is
to establish directly for the first time the size of a key component,
so-called ring d, of this archetypal system's architecture. Thus far the dust
ring's morphology has only been inferred from SED fitting. To quote one
researcher, the detailed morphology of ring d "must be dynamically compatible
with the presence of the outermost and innermost planets." Our imaging will
establish the ring size, which will constrain models of the system dynamics
and evolution. In addition, in conjunction with existing SED information, our
images will permit substantive constraints on dust particle properties. This
program is very feasible with MICHELLE, and we request a total time of 5.6
hours. We welcome this as classical time.
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 > 2011B-0400 |
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