Series: Astronomy Colloquium
Date: Wednesday 24-Apr-2024
Time: 16:05-17:00 (4:05-5:00 pm)
Location: ATL 2400
Speaker: Dr. Christine Chen (STScI)
Title: Exploring the Environments of Young Planetary Systems
Observations of debris disks provide unique insight into the environments in which planetary systems form and evolve. Debris disks are planetary systems containing planets, planetesimals, and dust. Collisions among these bodies produce observable secondary gas and dust which act as tracers for a host of processes with in the disk. JWST is revolutionizing our understanding of debris disks through exquisitely sensitive, high angular resolution near- to mid-infrared observations. I will present highlights from Cycle 1 programs including the discovery of (1) large, recent collisions in the archetypal beta Pic debris disk, (2) water ice in exo-Kuiper Belts, and (3) hot, florescent CO gas in young (<50 Myr old) debris disks. Together, these observations illustrate that debris disks are often dynamic environments that influence their planetary inhabitants and that observations of gas and dust inform our understanding of planetary and minor bodies within them.
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. Leslie Sage. 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. Leslie Sage for details.
Colloquium Organizer:
Dr. Leslie Sage
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.
