SO Colloquium – First reallistic modeling of dust in protoplanetary disks: perspectives for future observations

First results on modeling of light scattering by non-spherical and porous dust particles in protoplanetary disks have been obtained after a fruitful collaboration between IAA and IRyA backed by SO program: Daniel Guirado visiting IRyA, Carlos Carrasco and Miguel Jesús Jáquez visiting IAA and Gonzalo Vargas’ SO FPI.
First paper produced by this collaboration has been recently submitted for publication: «Modeling (Sub)-Millimeter Scattering Properties of Fractal and Consolidated Porous Particles: Applications to Protoplanetary Disks» and second paper is ready for submission in a few days a the time of this application: «Exploring the millimeter emission spectrum and polarization of protoplanetary disks with irregular dust particles»

A detailed characterization of dust evolution within protoplanetary disks is essential to uncover how planets form. Only in the past decade, with the advent of high-resolution radio interferometers such as the VLA and ALMA, have we been able to map dust distributions in these disks with unprecedented precision. Early observations revealed an unexpected diversity of substructures —including rings, gaps, and asymmetric patterns— indicative of the onset of planet formation and its dynamical impact on the disk. After surveying hundreds of disks across various star-forming regions, we are now beginning to outline multiple evolutionary pathways that may lead to planetary systems with markedly different architectures.

Based new results of light scattering in disks produced by this SO collaboration, basic properties of the dust such as their mass or size can be updated. And new perspectives on observations that may lead us to find out new details on the movie of the evolution of disks are open. These future observations must be matched with modelling efforts. New technological achievements and instruments to be developed and in service very soon must be matched with these modelling efforts as well: ngVLA and SKA

Fecha y lugar: 08/01/2026 – 12:30 | Salón de Actos
Carlos Carrasco
IRyA-UNAM