Solids and gas evolution in disks: observational constraints

• Applicant: Dr. Leonardo Testi
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 325594231

This project aims at obtaining observational constraints on the physical properties of dust and gas in protoplanetary disks in various evolutionary stages (e.g. primordial to transition) and as a function of the physical properties of the central star. We will extend the analysis of high angular resolution ALMA observations of young stars with disks in nearby star forming regions carried out in the first phase of this project. We will base our analysis on data already collected as part of a series of normal and large observing programmes and we will complement these with additional ALMA and VLA observations. We will firmly characterize the level of grain growth and settling, as well as the physical properties of the gas content as traced by CO and isotopologues in disks as a function of stellar mass, evolutionary stage and morphology of the disk, and we will expand our characterization of disk-planet interaction in the disks structure and kinematics of transitions disks. We will provide direct observational tests to constrain planetesimal formation theories and how these may apply in different environments.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 2634: Planet Formation Witnesses and Probes: Transition Discs
• International Connection: Chile, France, Italy, United Kingdom
• Co-Investigators: Professorin Dr. Paola Caselli; Professorin Dr. Ewine F. van Dishoeck; Professorin Barbara Ercolano, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Thomas Henning; Professor Dr. Thomas Preibisch
• Cooperation Partners: Privatdozentin Dr. Myriam Benisty; Maud Galametz; Professorin Dr. Antonella Natta; Professorin Dr. Laura Perez; Dr. Marco Tazzari