Thesis Topic: Binaries and debris, the renaissance of planets?
Thesis Supervisors: Amelia Bayo and Johan Olofsoon (MPIA, Heidelberg, Germany)
Abstract
Multiplicity is an ubiquitous feature in the star formation process. At least half of the stars similar in mass to the sun were formed in multiple systems and this fraction increases dramatically for higher mass stars. Multiplicity is known (from theoretical and observational points of view) to affect in different ways the early evolution of planet forming disks (depending on the separation, mass ratio, etc.). However, the interplay between more mature disks and the binarity of the host star(s) has been less studied observationally until recently where trends are starting to emerge.
The student will perform a comprehensive multiplicity study of a well curated sample (~300 objects) of “typical” debris disks. The sample covers a large range of spectral types (with a predominance of intermediate mass stars) and are located mostly within ~150 pc. Archival and new proprietary data (being gathered in the last semesters) will allow the student to probe a large range of orbital separations (combining high-resolution spectroscopy, imaging / interferometry, and kinematics).
This study’s goal is to pierce into any detailed connection between debris disk properties and hierarchy / orbital properties of the host star(s).