The interferometric view of Herbig Ae/Be stars
Kraus, Stefan
Date: 13 May 2015
Journal
Astrophysics and Space Science
Publisher
Springer Verlag (Germany)
Publisher DOI
Abstract
In this contribution I review how optical interferometry has contributed to shaping our understanding of the class of Herbig Ae/Be stars and of their associated circumstellar disks. I discuss the evidence for an optically-thin cavity in the inner few astronomical units (au) and a “puffed-up rim” near the dust sublimation radius and how ...
In this contribution I review how optical interferometry has contributed to shaping our understanding of the class of Herbig Ae/Be stars and of their associated circumstellar disks. I discuss the evidence for an optically-thin cavity in the inner few astronomical units (au) and a “puffed-up rim” near the dust sublimation radius and how these observations helped to establish the current generation of irradiated disk models. Multi-wavelength interferometric observations also revealed systems with clear signatures of grain growth and dynamically-cleared disk gaps, tracing important stages of disk evolution and of ongoing planet formation. I discuss the new opportunities provided by spectro-interferometry, which enables detailed studies on the gas distribution and velocity field on sub-au scales, resulting in constrains on the accretion properties of the system and the disk excitation structure. Finally, I outline some of the open questions and loose ends in current interferometric studies, and how these might point towards new disk physics.
Physics and Astronomy
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
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