Institute of Astronomy

Chemistry of Protoplanetary Disks Across the HR Diagram

SpeakerTalk DateTalk Series
Inga Kamp31 July 2014Across HR 2014 Talks

Abstract

Protoplanetary disks are observed around a wide variety of young stars, Herbig AeBe stars, T Tauri stars and also around Brown Dwarfs. At the same time, surveys for exoplanets indicate that - at least for solar-type stars - these protoplanetary disks are very efficient in forming planets. Various studies have indicated that the chemical signatures may depend on the spectral type of the central star. This has consequences for the type of planets that can form and their bulk composition as well as their atmospheres.
I will review chemical surveys in various wavelengths bands and the possible conclusions for differences in disk structure and chemical composition. In addition, I will present radiation thermo-chemical models for disks around Herbig AeBe stars, T Tauri stars and Brown Dwarfs. The main pathways of chemistry in various disk regions will be discussed and also the “chemical appearance” of these disks as a function of the spectral type of the central star.

Presentation