Proefschrift
Breaking the ice: constraining the volatile distribution in protoplanetary disks
This research focuses on the distribution of chemical elements in protoplanetary disks, the birthplaces of planets. These disks form around young stars and contain gas and dust, from which planets grow. Ice plays a crucial role in planet formation, aiding the clumping of dust particles and influencing the chemical makeup of both planets and their atmospheres.
- Auteur
- J.A. Sturm
- Datum
- 23 oktober 2024
- Links
- Thesis in Leiden Repository
Using advanced observational techniques, including the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large (sub-)Millimeter Array (ALMA), both direct observations of ice and indirect methods were employed to map the distribution of frozen carbon and other elements. The study offers new insights into how chemical compositions evolve during planet formation, explaining the vast diversity of planets observed across the universe. The societal relevance of these findings lies in enhancing our understanding of planet formation and the potential habitability of exoplanets. For example, the results show that carbon and oxygen are distributed differently in protoplanetary disks than previously thought, which has significant implications for exoplanet atmospheres. By combining physical and chemical models with future observations, this research deepens our understanding of how planets like Earth acquire their unique characteristics, contributing to a broader understanding of planetary diversity in the cosmos.