Gap opening beyond dead zones by photoevaporation

Details Gap opening beyond dead zones by photoevaporation Gap opening beyond dead zones by photoevaporation

2011-10-11

arxiv.org/abs/1110.2250v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

8 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Scientific paper

We propose a new hypothesis for the origin of protoplanetary discs with large inner holes (or gaps), so-called transition discs. Our gas disc model takes into account layered accretion, in which poorly-ionized low-viscosity dead zones are sandwiched by high-viscosity surface layers, and photoevaporative winds induced by X-rays from the central stars. We find that a gap opens at a radius outside a dead zone, if the mass loss rate due to photoevaporative winds exceeds the mass accretion rate in the dead zone region. Since the dead zone survives even after the gap opens, mass accretion onto the central star continues for a long time. This model can reproduce large gap sizes and high mass accretion rates seen in observed transition discs.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Gap opening beyond dead zones by photoevaporation does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Gap opening beyond dead zones by photoevaporation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gap opening beyond dead zones by photoevaporation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-471270