The disk population of the upper scorpius association

K. L. Luhman, E. E. Mamajek

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196 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present photometry at 3-24 μm for all known members of the Upper Scorpius association (τ ∼ 11 Myr) based on all images of these objects obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. We have used these data to identify the members that exhibit excess emission from circumstellar disks and estimate the evolutionary stages of these disks. Through this analysis, we have found ∼50 new candidates for transitional, evolved, and debris disks. The fraction of members harboring inner primordial disks is ≲ 10% for B-G stars (M > 1.2 M ) and increases with later types to a value of ∼25% at ≳M5 (M ≲ 0.2 ≲ M Odot;), in agreement with the results of previous disk surveys of smaller samples of Upper Sco members. These data indicate that the lifetimes of disks are longer at lower stellar masses and that a significant fraction of disks of low-mass stars survive for at least ∼10 Myr. Finally, we demonstrate that the distribution of excess sizes in Upper Sco and the much younger Taurus star-forming region (τ ∼ 1 Myr) is consistent with the same, brief timescale for clearing of inner disks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number31
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume758
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 10 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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