2024 Project Description

Difference in structures of protoplanetary disks in single and multiple protostellar systems

Supervisors

Hsi-Wei Yen
Find out more about supervisors on ASIAA website

Task Description and Goals

Thousands of exoplanets are discovered. These planets form in protoplanetary disks around young stars. More than half of stars are in binary or multiple systems. Dynamical interaction between protoplanetary disks and companion stars may affect disk properties and thus the planet formation process. Theoretically, it is expected that the dust, which is the material for forming planets, would evolve differently in protoplanetary disks in single and multiple systems.

Therefore, in this project, we will make use of high-resolution data obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the largest radio telescope in the world, to measure structures of protoplanetary disks in a large sample of single and multiple protostellar systems. We will compare their disk structures with theoretical exceptions from tidal interaction with their companions, and investigate how disks in single and multiple systems evolve and what is the impact on the planet formation process. Students will learn knowledge of star and planet formation, radio observation, and data analysis. Students will also learn how to write a program to analyze astronomical images and data and extract physical parameters from the data.

Required Background

Basic knowledge of Physics. Experience in Linux/Unix systems and programming is desirable but not required.