Spitzer Spectra of Protoplanetary Discs

Spitzer_ssc2004-08b_1024

spitzer_ssc2004-08b May 27th, 2004

Credit: Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/D. Watson (University of Rochester)

Using sensitive instruments onboard NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, scientists have seen the first building blocks of planets, and possibly future life, deep within dusty discs around young stars. The image shows spectra, obtained by Spitzer's infrared spectrograph, of two stars that are so young they are still embedded in protoplanetary discs. These thick discs of gas and dust are the leftover material from the formation of the stars themselves. The spectra are graphical representations of a celestial object's unique blend of light. Characteristic patterns, or fingerprints, within the spectra allow astronomers to identify the object's chemical composition.

In both infrared spectra, the presence of important chemicals for the formation of new worlds can be seen clearly. The broad depression in the center of each spectrum signifies the presence of silicates, which are chemically similar to beach sand. In fact, a good match for the chemistry of these crystalline silicates may be the famous green beaches of Hawaii, which get their color from olivine crystals in the sand. The artist's conception in the background depicts a close-up view of tiny olivine crystals, which scientists believe make up at least some of the dust grains, becoming coated with ice deep within the disc. The depth of the silicate absorption feature indicates that the dusty cocoon surrounding the embedded protostar is extremely thick. Other absorption dips are produced by water ice (blue), methanol ice (red), and carbon dioxide ice (green). The fact that water, methanol and carbon dioxide appear in solid form suggests that the material immediately surrounding the protostar is cold.

Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope

Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/1172-ssc2004-08b-Spitzer-Spectra-of-Protoplanetary-Disks

Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Use Policy: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy

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Image Details

Image Type
Chart
Object Name
DG Tau B IRAS 0416+2610
Subject - Milky Way
Star > Circumstellar Material > Disk > Protoplanetary

Color Mapping

  Telescope Spectral Band Wavelength
Spitzer (IRS) Infrared (Mid-Infrared) -
Spectrum plotted from 5 - 20 microns
Spitzer_ssc2004-08b_1280
×
ID
ssc2004-08b
Subject Category
B.3.7.2.1.  
Subject Name
DG Tau B, IRAS 0416+2610
Credits
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/D. Watson (University of Rochester)
Type
Chart
Image Quality
Good
Distance Notes
Facility
Spitzer
Instrument
IRS
Color Assignment
Band
Infrared
Bandpass
Mid-Infrared
Central Wavelength
Start Time
Integration Time
Dataset ID
Notes
S
Coordinate Frame
Equinox
Reference Value
Reference Dimension
Reference Pixel
Scale
Rotation
Coordinate System Projection:
Quality
FITS Header
Notes
Creator (Curator)
Spitzer Space Telescope
URL
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu
Name
Spitzer Space Telescope
Email
Telephone
Address
1200 E. California Blvd.
City
Pasadena
State/Province
CA
Postal Code
91125
Country
USA
Rights
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/info/18-Image-Use-Policy
Publisher
Spitzer Science Center
Publisher ID
spitzer
Resource ID
ssc2004-08b.tif
Metadata Date
2012-10-11
Metadata Version
1.1
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Detailed color mapping information coming soon...

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There is no distance meta data in this image.

 

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