Evolution of Mid-IR Excess Around Sun-like Stars: Constraints on Models of
Terrestrial Planet Formation

Authors: M.R. Meyer (The University of Arizona), J.M. Carpenter (Caltech),
E.E. Mamajek (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA), L.A. Hillenbrand (Caltech), D.
Hollenbach (NASA-Ames), A. Moro-Martin (Princetone), J.S. Kim (The
University of Arizona), M.D. Silverstone (The University of Arizona), J.
Najita (NOAO), D.C. Hines (Space Sciences Institute), I. Pascucci (The
University of Arizona), J.R. Stauffer (Spitzer Science Center), J. Bouwman
(Max-Planck Institut fuer Astronomie), D.E. Backman (SETI Institute)

(Submitted on 6 Dec 2007)

Abstract: We report observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope (SST)
regarding the frequency of 24 micron excess emission toward sun-like stars.
Our unbiased sample is comprised of 309 stars with masses 0.7-2.2 Msun and
ages from less than 3 Myr to greater than 3 Gyr that lack excess emission at
wavelengths less than =8 microns. We identify 30 stars that exhibit clear
evidence of excess emission from the observed 24/8 micron flux ratio. The
implied 24 micron excesses of these candidate debris disk systems range from
13 % (the minimum detectable) to more than 100 % compared to the expected
photospheric emission. The frequency of systems with evidence for dust
debris emitting at 24 micron ranges from 8.5-19 % at ages less than 300 Myr
to less than 4 % for older stars.

The results suggest that many, perhaps most, sun-like stars might form
terrestrial planets.

Comments: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters

Subjects: Astrophysics (astro-ph)

Cite as: arXiv:0712.1057v1 [astro-ph]

Submission history

From: Michael R. Meyer [view email]

[v1] Thu, 6 Dec 2007 23:09:43 GMT (34kb)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0712.1057