Can the Dustiest Main Sequence Stars Tell Us About the Rocky Planet Formation Process?. Issue Volume 10:Issue S314(2015) (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melis, Carl
• Editors: Kastner, J. H.; Stelzer, B.; Metchev, S. A.
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. Volume 10:Issue S314(2015)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 246
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: planets and satellites: formation, -- circumstellar matter, -- planetary systems; Astronomy -- Congresses; Astronomy -- Periodicals; 520
• DOI: 10.1017/S1743921315006638
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9213

Abstract

Abstract: Main sequence stars hosting extreme quantities of inner planetary system debris are likely experiencing transient dust production events. The nature of these events, if they can be unambiguously attributed to a single process, can potentially inform us on the formation and/or early evolution of rocky Earth-like planets. In this contribution I examine some of the dustiest main sequence stars known and three processes that may be capable of reproducing their observed properties. Through this activity I also make an estimate for the likelihood of an A-type star to have an asteroid belt-like planetesimal population.