27/10/23 Seminar: Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith (School of Physics, TCD) will speak at the School of Mathematics & Statistics seminar series on Friday 27 October.
| Speaker: | Kevin Smith (School of Physics, TCD) |
| Title: | Determining the H2/CO Ratios of Gas-Rich Exocometary Belts: Primordial or Secondary Origins? |
| Date: | 1pm, Friday 27 October, 2023 |
| Location: | TU Dublin, Grangegorman, Central Quad, CQ-210 (Tea, coffee and sandwiches at 12:30pm in room CQ-210) |
| Abstract: We aim to provide conclusive evidence regarding the origin of gas within gas-rich exocometary belts. Specifically, we wish to determine whether the gas is primordial, remaining from the belt's formation, or secondary, produced in-situ. Our research seeks to determine the upper limit of the molecular hydrogen column density in the CO-rich, edge-on exocometary belts around HD110058 and HD131488. We observed these disks using the advanced CRIRES+ instrument on the VLT. We attempt to observe absorption from the 2.22-micron rovibrational absorption line of H2 via infrared spectroscopy. These data are complemented by existing HST-STIS CO absorption data. By modeling the 2.22 micron line with the IR spectral modeling tool RADIS, we can obtain an upper limit for the column density of H2. This combined analysis will yield the first measurement of the H2/CO ratio in a CO-rich debris disk. This ratio allows us to determine whether the disk's chemistry is consistent with a primary or secondary origin. | |