The Rise and Fall of Debris Disks: MIPS Observations of h and Chi Persei and the Evolution of Mid-IR Emission from Planet Formation
Sep, 2007
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Abstract: (arXiv)
We describe Spitzer/MIPS observations of the double cluster, h and Persei, covering a 0.6 square-degree area surrounding the cores of both clusters. The data are combined with IRAC and 2MASS data to investigate 616 sources from 1.25-24 . We use the long-baseline -[24] color to identify two populations with IR excess indicative of circumstellar material: Be stars with 24 excess from optically-thin free free emission and 17 fainter sources (J 14-15) with [24] excess consistent with a circumstellar disk. The frequency of IR excess for the fainter sources increases from 4.5 through 24 . The IR excess is likely due to debris from the planet formation process. The wavelength-dependent behavior is consistent with an inside-out clearing of circumstellar disks. A comparison of the 24 excess population in h and Per sources with results for other clusters shows that 24 emission from debris disks 'rises' from 5 to 10 Myr, peaks at 10-15 Myr, and then 'falls' from 15/20 Myr to 1 Gyr.Note:
- 48 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal
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