Series: Astronomy Colloquium
Date: Wednesday 19-Feb-2025
Time: 16:05-17:00 (4:05-5:00 pm)
Location: ATL 2400
Speaker: Dr.Charles Law (University of Virginia)
Title: Protoplanetary Disk Chemistry as a Window into Planet Formation
Planets assemble in dusty, gas-rich disks around young stars, and the properties of exoplanetary systems, including their architectures, atmospheres, and potential habitability, trace their origins back to disk conditions. In this talk, I will describe how advancements in observational capabilities enabled by facilities, such as ALMA and JWST, now provide access to the composition, structure, and chemistry of these disks in unprecedented detail. I will focus on how such observations have revealed complex, highly-structured, and vertically-extended disks, and the implications for planet formation occurring in these systems. I will also highlight our efforts to use molecular lines to trace the earliest stages of this process, which offers a powerful, new method to directly detect young protoplanets still embedded in their natal disks. To conclude, I will discuss how ongoing and future programs are poised to push the frontiers in our understanding of the chemistry of planet formation and ultimately, allow us to link exoplanet characteristics to their birth environments.
In-person colloquia are usually preceded by espresso and ice cream at 1:45 pm outside room PSC 1150 and are followed by an informal reception at 5:15 pm in that room. Anyone interested in talking with the speaker, or being added to the colloquium announcement email list, should contact the colloquium organizer Dr. Richard Mushotzky. Lunch will normally be reserved for the speaker to talk to graduate students. Anyone asking a question during a talk is asked to raise their hand and be acknowledged before speaking. Contact Dr. Richard Mushotzky for details.
Colloquium Organizer:
Dr. Richard Mushotzky
Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
