NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0099
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0099 |
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PI: Joan Najita, NOAO, najita@noao.edu
Address: 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
CoI: James Muzerolle, STScI
CoI: Greg Doppmann, Keck Observatory
CoI: Stephen Strom, NOAO
Title: Transition Objects: Photoevaporation, Grain Growth, or Planet-Forming Disks?
Abstract:
Transition objects are an interesting class of young stellar objects
whose SEDs indicate that significant disk evolution has occurred.
Although the SEDs are commonly interpreted as a sign of giant planet
formation, grain growth and disk photoevaporation have been put forward
as alternative explanations. We propose to use stellar accretion rates
as a tool to distinguish among these possibilities, since disk evolution
theories make very different predictions for the impact of these
processes on the stellar accretion rate. We will build on our earlier
study of the Taurus star forming region by measuring stellar accretion
rates for transition objects and control samples of normal T Tauri stars
in populations both younger and older than Taurus. Our observations
will constrain the timescales for the onset and duration of giant planet
formation, thereby providing direct constraints on physical pathways for
giant planet formation. Finally, as stellar accretion rates are a
fundamental diagnostic for many aspects of star and planet formation,
there is significant legacy value for our measurements beyond the goals
of this study.
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 > 2012A-0099 |
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