Planet gaps in the dust layer of 3D proto-planetary disks: Observability with ALMA

TL;DR

This paper investigates ALMA's capability to detect planetary gaps in the dust layers of 3D proto-planetary disks, aiming to enhance understanding of planet formation by observing young, wide-orbit planets.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of ALMA's potential to observe planet-induced gaps in proto-planetary disks, focusing on young systems at large orbital radii.

Findings

ALMA can detect gaps caused by wide-orbit planets in proto-planetary disks.

Detection feasibility depends on disk and planet properties.

The study guides future observations of planet formation processes.

Abstract

Among the numerous known extrasolar planets, only a handful have been imaged directly so far, at large orbital radii and in rather evolved systems. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) will have the capacity to observe these wide planetary systems at a younger age, thus bringing a better understanding of the planet formation process. Here we explore the ability of ALMA to detect the gaps carved by planets on wide orbits.