Holding footpoints to the fire, planetary disk theory confronts observations

这项研究提供了一个详细的解释框架，在这个框架内，复杂的原行星碎片/吸积盘模型可以与不断扩大的高质量光学、红外和亚毫米地面观测数据库以及空间红外观测数据库进行比较。这是通过结合先进的自适应网格数值工具，用于磁流体动力学，分析理论和蒙特卡罗辐射传输模型，以产生合成散射光图像和光谱能量分布。关于盘-行星相互作用的观测诊断，有三个独立但相互关联的研究方向：1)由原行星清理和维持的盘间隙形式的径向结构；2)通过嵌入行星或外部飞掠（双星伴星、未绑定恒星或褐矮星）激发的盘螺旋波/翘曲形式的方位结构；3)垂直结构以盘尺度高度的形式作为原恒星盘湍流的代表。盘尺度高度研究将描述盘中产生的湍流，它决定了何时以及如何积聚星子形成行星。此外，它们还为维持圆盘边缘的行星，以及被束缚摄动器和恒星飞掠所截断或激发的圆盘结构提供观测诊断。这项工作为原行星系统的演化和形状提供了模型预测，然后可以通过对单个物体的观察和星系团中磁盘的统计数据进行测试。更广泛的影响：提议者？在分析理论、数值模拟和观测之间建立联系的努力直接影响了他们的外联战略，该战略既关注地方，也关注全国。他们之前的外联努力已经为当地高中高年级学生创建了一个基于罗切斯特的教育和实习项目。他们在这里通过积极地增加城市儿童在科学领域的存在通过让他们直接参与他们的研究项目。这项工作还创造了引人注目的视觉图像和电影，可以用学生和非科学家都可以参与的方式来讲述行星形成的故事。他们正在开发基于模拟的网络推广模块，将这些模块放在主要科学杂志的网站上，在全国范围内分发。

ABSTRACTPI QuillenThis research is providing a detailed interpretative framework within which sophisticated protoplanetary debris/accretion disk models can be compared with the expanding database of high quality optical, infrared and submillimeter ground based observations, as well as with infrared observations from space. This is enabled by a combination of advanced adaptive mesh numerical tools for magnetohydrodynamics, analytic theory, and Monte Carlo radiative transfer models to produce synthetic scattered light images and spectral energy distributions. There are three separate, but interrelated, lines of inquiry concerning observational diagnostics for disk-planet interaction: 1) radial structure in the form of disk gaps cleared and maintained by proto-planets; 2) azimuthal structure in the form of disk spiral waves/warps excited via embedded planets or external flybys (binary companion, unbound star or brown-dwarf); and 3) vertical structure in the form of disk scale heights as a proxy for protostellar disk turbulence. The disk scale height study will characterize turbulence generated in disks which governs when and how planetesimals accumulate to form planets. Further they are providing observational diagnostics for planets which maintain disk edges, and disk structure truncated by or excited by bound perturbers and stellar flybys. The work provides model predictions for the evolution and shape of proto-planetary systems which then can be tested from the observations of individual objects and the statistics of disks in clusters. Broader Impact: The proposers? efforts to create links between analytic theory, numerical simulations, and observations play directly into their outreach strategy which has both a local and national focus. Their previous outreach efforts have led to the creation of a Rochester-based education and intern program for local high school seniors. They are adding to that here by actively increasing the presence of inner city children in the sciences by involving them directly in their research program. The work is also creating striking visual images and movies that can be used to tell the story of planet formation in ways which can engage both students and non-scientists. They are developing simulation-based web outreach modules distributed on a national level by placing the modules on the websites of major science magazines.