The effect stellar mass and environment on the evolution of protoplanetary disks

• Applicant: Dr. Aurora Sicilia-Aguilar
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 82675014

Low-mass stars are born surrounded by protoplanetary disks composed of dust and gas. These disks disappear within a few Myr, presumably after forming planets. The diversity of disks observed at any given age indicates that time evolution is not the only important parameter in disk dissipation: Other effects such as stellar mass, initial conditions, and environment, must play a role. In this project, I want to explore the influence of environment and initial conditions (high-mass versus low-mass star-forming regions), and stellar properties (mass, age) on disk dissipation using multiwavelength observations. I will study several high-mass and low-mass star-forming regions, covering the main epochs of disk dissipation. The solar-type stars in these regions have been already identified, so I will concentrate on the properties of the low- and very low-mass members. I will use a multiwavelength (optical, IR and millimetre) approach to determine the stellar properties, dust characteristics, and disk structure, covering a large sample of objects to obtain statistically significant results. The required critical multiwavelength observations have been already taken, or will be taken in 2008-2009, so a comprehensive picture of stars, disks and their environments can be traced.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants