Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011aas...21740602l&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #217, #406.02; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 43, 2011
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Results from short- and long-term monitoring indicate that variability at all wavelengths is a hallmark of young stellar objects, suggesting that the circumstellar disks should be perceived as evolving, non-static systems. Using the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph, multiple epochs were observed for a sample of actively accreting T Tauri stars, providing an opportunity to explore the associated temporal variations and to better understand the disk evolution on timescales ranging from days to years.
All objects in this sample exhibit in some form variability over the observed wavelength range, including spectral features such as the 10-micron silicate complex, atomic lines, and a PAH emission. These variations can arise from an array of physical mechanisms, such as changes in accretion or alterations to the disk's overall physical structure and opacity. In order to quantify the observed variations, spectral decomposition models were used to study changes in the dust mineralogy and disk components. For the majority of the sample, the continuum changes in a significant manner, possibly due to asymmetries in the rotating disk structure. Furthermore, in a small percentage of objects, significant changes in the optically thin silicate emission are observed.
In an effort to continue characterizing the circumstellar environments, I have taken a key role in developing LMIRcam, a 3-5 micron imager/spectrograph, for the Large Binocular Telescope. Commissioning of LMIRcam in early 2011 will take advantage of the recent delivery of the LBT's first adaptive secondary, enabling unprecedented resolution for a single-aperture telescope. Fizeau interferometric implementation will be realized after the delivery of the final adaptive secondary. With a resolution of approximately 30 milli-arcseconds, observations with LMIRcam will vastly improve our knowledge and understanding of inner regions of circumstellar disks and planet formation. Furthermore, grism spectroscopy (R 400) will allow for characterization of spectral features in extrasolar planets and spatially resolved circumstellar disks.
Leisenring Jarron
Skrutskie Michael F.
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