Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006sptz.prop30551a&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #30551
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
The first step toward planetesimal formation is the processing of dust grains via grain growth and crystallization accompanied by dust settling toward the disk mid-plane. Our Cycle-1 IRS survey answered four questions concerning potential planet formation in brown dwarf disks: 1. Most brown dwarf disks are flat or only moderately flared; 2. We identified very high crystalline mass fractions (40-50%) in all but one brown dwarf disk. 3. Substantial grain growth occurs in brown dwarf disks already at very young ages (1-3 Myr). 4. The dust processing and the disk geometries are consistent with the picture of larger dust grains settling toward the disk mid-plane. The two most surprising findings were the highly crystalline disks and a dust compositional difference between sources in two different star-forming regions. We propose here to utilize 25.2 hours of Spitzer/IRS time to obtain very high signal-to-noise spectra to conduct a quantitative dust composition study on 22 disks around brown dwarfs and very low-mass stars. We aim to: 1, determine whether crystalline mass fractions decrease with age or with increasing luminosity; 2, confirm the dust compositional difference. Both questions are fundamental to understanding the processing and evolution of dust in protoplanetary disks - the raw material of terrestrial planets. Our team consists of some of the leading experts in the field of astromineralogy, protoplanetary disks, brown dwarf disks, and brown dwarf characterization. We have a strong record of successful Spitzer/IRS disk studies and all the reduction and analysis tools required to reach all proposed goals.
Apai Daniel
Bouwman Jeroen
Henning Thomas
Luhman Kevin
Meyer Michael R.
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