X-ray irradiation of protoplanetary discs: a dominant dispersal mechanism
by
Barbara Ercolano(IoA cambridge)
→
Europe/Stockholm
FA31
FA31
Description
The lifetime of protoplanetary discs is intimately linked to the mechanism
responsible for their dispersal. Since the formation of planets within a
disc must operate within the time frame of disc dispersal it is crucial to
establish what is the dominant process that removes the gaseous component
of discs around young stars. We have recently shown that X-ray
driven photoevaporation is very efficient at removing the gas from the
disc within the observed timescales (Owen et al. 2009, Ercolano et
al 2008, 2009). I will briefly review our recent results and present
some preliminary observational evidence in support of this model.
