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arXiv · 0911.2271

Observational diagnostics of gas in protoplanetary disks

Andres Carmona
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Abstract

Protoplanetary disks are composed primarily of gas (99% of the mass). Nevertheless, relatively few observational constraints exist for the gas in disks. In this review, I discuss several observational diagnostics in the UV, optical, near-IR, mid-IR, and (sub)-mm wavelengths that have been employed to study the gas in the disks of young stellar objects. I concentrate in diagnostics that probe the inner 20 AU of the disk, the region where planets are expected to form. I discuss the potential and limitations of each gas tracer and present prospects for future research.

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Andres Carmona. 2009-11-11. Observational diagnostics of gas in protoplanetary disks. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11038-009-9347-2

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