Institute of Astronomy

Herschel-resolved Two-belt Spitzer Debris Disks

SpeakerTalk DateTalk Series
Farisa Morales28 July 2014Across HR 2014 Posters

Abstract

We use Herschel PACS imaging for a unique set of stars that host on going activity in the terrestrial planet zones and the presence of an outer/colder dust component, to continue the exploration, begun with Spitzer Space Telescope, of their disk structure and composition. The 19 solar? and A?type stars presented here have combined Spitzer IRS+MIPS (5 to 70 ?m) and Herschel PACS (70 or 100 and 160 ?m) SEDs suggesting a two?ring disk architecture, mirroring that of the asteroidal-Kuiper belt geometry of our Solar System. In addition, Herschel provides the sensitivity and angular resolution required to successfully resolve them at 70, 100, and/or 160 ?m. Spatially resolved systems help breach the degeneracy in SED modeling between the grain properties and the dustÂ’s radial location. The goal is to analyze the Herschel-resolved disks within our Spitzer sample in order to compare the architecture of other planetary systems against our own, and to improve understanding of how planetary systems form and evolve.

Presentation