2022 Project Description

Angular Momentum Problem in an Accretion Disk in the Early Phase of Star Formation

Supervisors

Chin-Fei Lee, Kai-Syun Jhan
Find out more about supervisors on ASIAA website

Task Description and Goals

HH 211 is a very young protostellar system in the early phase of star formation, deeply embedded in a molecular core of Perseus at a distance of ~ 320 pc. It has a nearly edge-on rotating (accretion) disk and a jet almost in the plane of the sky. We have recently obtained ALMA data of this system at the highest resolution. In this project, we will search for jet rotation, disk wind, and resolve the disk rotation, in order to determine the jet launching model, disk-wind property, and mass of the central protostar, respectively. The goal is to understand how the angular momentum is removed from the disk in order to facilitate the feeding process of the protostar.

In this project, we will learn how to calibrate and analyze the ALMA data, and model the disk rotation with simple Keplerian rotation. If needed, we will also model the disk wind with a magnetic disk wind model with radiative transfer.

Required Background

Unix/Linux experience, Programming Languages such as Python Scripting, Fortran 90, C/C++. Fundamental knowledge of physics, in particular Newtonian mechanics