Cited by 709Astrophysics and Star Formation StudiesAstro and Planetary ScienceStellar, planetary, and galactic studies

Protoplanetary disk structures in Ophiuchus

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Andrews, Sean M., Wilner, D. J., Hughes, A. M., Qi, Chunhua, Dullemond, C. P.·2009·The Astrophysical Journal

Abstract

We present the results of a high angular resolution (0 3 ≈ 40 AU) Submillimeter Array survey of the 345 GHz (870 μm) thermal continuum emission from nine of the brightest, and therefore most massive, circumstellar disks in the ∼1 Myr-old Ophiuchus star-forming region. Using two-dimensional radiative transfer calculations, we simultaneously fit the observed continuum visibilities and broadband spectral energy distribution for each disk with a parametric structure model. Compared to previous millimeter studies, this survey includes significant upgrades in modeling, data quality, and angular resolution that provide improved constraints on key structure parameters, particularly those that characterize the spatial distribution of mass in the disks. In the context of a surface density profile motivated by similarity solutions for viscous accretion disks, Σ ∝ ( R / R c ) −γ exp [ − ( R / R c ) 2−γ ], the best-fit models for the sample disks have characteristic radii R c ≈ 20–200 AU, high disk masses M d ≈ 0.005–0.14 M ☉ (a sample selection bias), and a narrow range of radial Σ gradients (γ ≈ 0.4–1.0) around a median γ = 0.9. These density structures are used in conjunction with accretion rate estimates from the literature to help characterize the viscous evolution of the disk material. Using the standard prescription for disk viscosities, those combined constraints indicate that α ≈ 0.0005–0.08. Three of the sample disks show large ( R ≈ 20–40 AU) central cavities in their continuum emission morphologies, marking extensive zones where dust has been physically removed and/or has significantly diminished opacities. Based on the current requirements of planet formation models, these emission cavities and the structure constraints for the sample as a whole suggest that these young disks may eventually produce planetary systems, and have perhaps already started.

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Authors
Andrews, S. M., Wilner, D. J., Hughes, A. M., Qi, C., & Dullemond, C. P.
Affiliations
  • Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian (US)
  • Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (DE)
Venue
The Astrophysical Journal
Published
2009-07-14
Volume
700
Issue
2
Pages
1502-1523
ISSN
  • 0004-637X (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-4357
OpenAlex
W2047712469
Cited by
709
References
168
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 90 · 2017: 59 · 2016: 71 · 2015: 48 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 56 · 2012: 40
FWCI
21.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Astrophysical Journal (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NNG05GI81G, NAS 526555, 526555)
  • Space Telescope Science Institute (NAS5- 26555, 5-26555, 26555)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
Keywords
protoplanetary disks, Ophiuchus star-forming region, disk structure, surface density profile, disk mass, disk viscosity, accretion rate, disk cavity, dust removal, planet formation, radiative transfer modeling

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