| Description |
With the exceptional sensitivity of the Herschel Space Observatory, we propose to map a complete sample of 124 low mass members of the Taurus star-forming region, spanning the transition from low mass stars to brown dwarfs. Taurus is the ideal population for this investigation since the low stellar density enables the detailed study of individual objects without contamination from nearby sources. The sensitive PACS 70um and 160um maps of all sources will provide a census of disks, ranging from primordial gas rich disks to transition disks and debris disks, and define a benchmark population study for comparison with objects of higher mass, older ages, and in different environments. For the 59 targets with evidence of disk excesses from Spitzer 24um images, we also propose to obtain SPIRE 250-500um scans to further characterize the disk properties. The Herschel data for all sources will be combined with existing photometry to construct SEDs over the optical to submm range, and we will fit the SEDs with a comprehensive grid of models developed with the state-of-the-art radiative transfer code MCFOST. The proposed Herschel data cover wavelengths inaccessible from the ground and over the important range associated with the transition from optically thick to optically thin emission. By comparing the well-sampled SEDs with an extensive grid of models, we will estimate key structural parameters such as radius, mass, scale height, and evidence of flaring or dust settling. These properties represent important observational constraints on models for brown dwarf formation and the viability of these disks as sites for future planet formation. |
| Publication |
The (w)hole survey: An unbiased sample study of transition disk candidates based on Spitzer catalogs . van der Marel N. et al. . Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 592, id.A126, 36 pp. . 592 . 10.1051\/0004-6361\/201628075 . 2016A&A...592A.126V ,
A Search for Very Low-luminosity Objects in Gould Belt Clouds . Kim Mi-Ryang et al. . The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, Volume 225, Issue 2, article id. 26, 17 pp. (2016). . 225 . 10.3847\/0067-0049\/225\/2\/26 . 2016ApJS..225...26K ,
The Taurus Boundary of Stellar/Substellar (TBOSS) Survey. I. Far-IR disk emission measured with Herschel . Bulger J. et al. . Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 570, id.A29, 34 pp. . 570 . 10.1051\/0004-6361\/201323088 . 2014A&A...570A..29B ,
The Taurus Boundary of Stellar/Substellar (TBOSS) Survey. II. Disk Masses from ALMA Continuum Observations . Ward-Duong K. et al. . The Astronomical Journal, Volume 155, Issue 2, article id. 54, 26 pp. (2018). . 155 . 10.3847\/1538-3881\/aaa128 . 2018AJ....155...54W ,
Hints for Small Disks around Very Low Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs . Hendler Nathanial P. et al. . The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 841, Issue 2, article id. 116, 13 pp. (2017). . 841 . 10.3847\/1538-4357\/aa71b8 . 2017ApJ...841..116H ,
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