The Location of the Snow Line in Protostellar Disks

TL;DR

This paper discusses the factors influencing the position of the snow line in protostellar disks, which is crucial for understanding disk evolution and planet formation.

Contribution

It provides an overview of key processes affecting the snow line's location, highlighting complexities in its determination.

Findings

Identification of key processes affecting snow line position

Discussion of challenges in accurately locating the snow line

Implications for disk evolution and planet formation

Abstract

The snow line in a gas disk is defined as the distance from the star beyond which the water ice is stable against evaporation. Since oxygen is the most abundant element after hydrogen and helium, the presence of ice grains can have important consequences for disk evolution. However, determining the position of the snow line is not simple. I discuss some of the important processes that affect the position of the snow line.