2025 Project Description

Impact of Stellar Multiplicity on Protoplanetary Disk Evolution

Supervisors

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

Task Description and Goals

Thousands of exoplanets have been discovered, forming in protoplanetary disks around young stars. More than half of stars exist in binary or multiple systems, where interactions with companion stars can influence disk properties and impact the planet formation process. Theoretically, dust, which is the building material for planets, is expected to evolve differently in protoplanetary disks depending on whether they are in single or multiple stellar systems.

In this project, we will utilize high-resolution data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the world’s largest radio telescope, to analyze the structures of protoplanetary disks in a large sample of single and multiple protostellar systems. By comparing these disk structures with theoretical predictions of tidal interactions from companion stars, we aim to investigate how disks evolve in different environments and what impact this has on planet formation.

Students participating in this project will gain knowledge of star and planet formation, radio astronomy, and data analysis. They will analyze astronomical images, process data, and extract physical parameters from ALMA observations.

Required Background

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