Early results of the GTO-MIRI MINDS programme on planet-forming disks

Abstract: 

Planets form, migrate, and obtain their elemental composition in disks orbiting young stars (a few Myrs). The elemental composition of gas and solids in disks is expected to vary with time and distance to the star due various processes such as the radial drift of icy-pebbles, chemical reactions, and sublimation of ices. With its extensive spectroscopic capabilities in the near- and mid-IR, JWST is now providing unique access to the composition of planet-forming regions in disks (~<10 au). In this seminar, I will present the first results of the MIRI Guaranteed Time Observations of planet-forming disks (PI: Th. Henning). This programme extensively surveys the chemical composition of gas and solids of a large sample of disks around stars of various stellar types. I will highlight three early results that demonstrate the unique potential of JWST. Along with these first results, I will present the modelling approaches we are developing to retrieve the composition of the gas from JWST spectra. This talk will highlight the need for a synergy with spectroscopists and molecular physicists.

Bio:

Research interests: dynamical and chemical evolution of planet forming disks, MHD disk-winds, astrochemistry.

Methods: ALMA and JWST observations, detailed modelling of the gas

– From 2023: CNRS permanent researcher at IAS (Paris-Saclay University)
– 2021-2022: Paris Region Fellow (MCSA) at IAS (Paris-Saclay University)
– 2018-2021: postdoctoral researcher in the group of Ewine van Dishoeck, Leiden Observatory
– 2015-2018: PhD at the Paris Observatory under the supervision of Sylvie Cabrit and Guillaume Pineau des Forêts