CAREER: Characterizing the Process of Planet Formation around Low-Mass Stars and Brown Dwarfs

职业：描述低质量恒星和褐矮星周围行星形成的过程。位于大学公园的宾夕法尼亚州立大学的凯文·卢曼将进行以下研究：1）寻找低质量恒星和褐矮星，以确定这些恒星周围的星周盘有多常见; 2）测量低质量恒星和褐矮星周围原行星盘的物理特性;以及3）在低质量恒星和褐矮星周围发现的盘中寻找正在形成的巨行星的证据。 拟议的活动旨在对低质量恒星和褐矮星周围的原行星盘进行迄今为止最全面的研究，并帮助确定宇宙中行星系统的丰度和多样性。Luhman博士将从事的教育活动包括：1）开发一个关于太阳系外行星和行星形成的新的研究生课程; 2）让本科生和研究生参与研究和教育活动; 3）指导初中和高中学生在宾夕法尼亚州少年科学院的研究竞赛中进行天文学项目; 4）通过宾州州立大学天文学在职讲习班参与对初中和高中教育工作者的天文学培训; 5）在宾州州立大学发起一个新的天文学老年宿舍; 6）通过新闻稿和公开讲座向公众传播他的研究活动的发现。

CAREER: Characterizing the Process of Planet Formation around Low-Mass Stars and Brown DwarfsABSTRACTAST 0544588 Kevin LuhmanDr. Kevin Luhman, at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, will undertake research to: 1) search for low-mass stars and brown dwarfs to determine how common circumstellar disks are around these stars; 2) measure the physical properties of the protoplanetary disks found around low-mass stars and brown dwarfs; and 3) search for evidence of ongoing giant planet formation in the disks found around low-mass stars and brown dwarfs. The proposed activities are intended to comprise the most comprehensive study to date of protoplanetary disks around low-mass stars and brown dwarfs, and to help determine the abundance and diversity of planetary systems in the universe. Dr. Luhman will undertake educational activities that consist of: 1) developing a new graduate course on extrasolar planets and planet formation; 2) involving undergraduate and graduate students in both research and educational activities; 3) guiding projects in astronomy by middle- and high-school students in the research competitions of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science; 4) participating in the astronomy training of middle- and high-school educators through the Penn State Inservice Workshops in Astronomy; 5) initiating a new elderhostel on astronomy at Penn State University; and 6) disseminating to the general public the discoveries from his research activities through press releases and public lectures.