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Dispersal of Disks Around Young Stars: Constraints on Kuiper Belt FormationWe review the evidence pertaining to the lifetimes of planet-forming disks and discuss possible disk dispersal mechanisms: 1) viscous accretion of material onto the central source; 2) close stellar encounters; 3) stellar winds; and 4) photoevaporation by ultraviolet radiation. We focus on 3) and 4) and describe the quasi-steady state appearance and the overall evolution of disks under the influence of winds and radiation from the central star and of radiation from external OB stars. Viscous accretion likely dominates disk dispersal in the inner disk (r approx. <= 10 AU), while photoevaporation is the principal process of disk dispersal outside of r approx. >= 10 AU for low mass stars. Disk dispersal timescales are compared and discussed in relation to theoretical estimates for planet formation timescales. Photoevaporation may explain the large differences in the hydrogen content of the giant planets in the solar system. The commonly held belief that our early sun's stellar wind dispersed the solar nebula is called into question. Finally, we study the constraints that the evaporation of the outer disk has on the formation of Kuiper belts in extrasolar planetary systems.
Document ID
20020060658
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hollenbach, David
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
DeVincenzi, Donald
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Debris Disks and the Formation of Planets: A Symposium in Memory of Fred Gillett
Location: Tucson, AZ
Country: United States
Start Date: April 11, 2002
End Date: April 13, 2002
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 344-04-10-02
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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