Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer Code Research Articles

Determining the forsterite abundance of the dust around asymptotic giant branch stars

Aims. We present a diagnostic tool to determine the abundance of the crystalline silicate forsterite in AGB stars surrounded by a thick shell of silicate dust. Using six infrared spectra of high mass-loss oxygen rich AGB stars we obtain the forsterite abundance of their dust shells. Methods. We use a monte carlo radiative transfer code to calculate infrared spectra of dust enshrouded AGB stars. We vary the dust composition, mass-loss rate and outer radius. We focus on the strength of the 11.3 and the 33.6 \mu m forsterite bands, that probe the most recent (11.3 \mu m) and older (33.6 \mu m) mass-loss history of the star. Simple diagnostic diagrams are derived, allowing direct comparison to observed band strengths. Results. Our analysis shows that the 11.3 \mu m forsterite band is a robust indicator for the forsterite abundance of the current mass-loss period for AGB stars with an optically thick dust shell. The 33.6 \mu m band of forsterite is sensitive to changes in the density and the geometry of the emitting dust shell, and so a less robust indicator. Applying our method to six high mass-loss rate AGB stars shows that AGB stars can have forsterite abundances of 12% by mass and higher, which is more than the previously found maximum abundance of 5%.

Continuum and line modelling of discs around young stars — I. 300 000 disc models for HERSCHEL/GASPS

Abstract We have combined the thermo-chemical disc code ProDiMo with the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code MCFOST to calculate a grid of ∼300 000 circumstellar disc models, systematically varying 11 stellar, disc and dust parameters including the total disc mass, several disc shape parameters and the dust-to-gas ratio. For each model, dust continuum and line radiative transfer calculations are carried out for 29 far-infrared, sub-mm and mm lines of [Oi], [Cii], 12CO and o/p-H2O under five inclinations. The grid allows us to study the influence of the input parameters on the observables, to make statistical predictions for different types of circumstellar discs and to find systematic trends and correlations between the parameters, the continuum fluxes and the line fluxes. The model grid, comprising the calculated disc temperature and chemical structures, the computed spectral energy distributions, line fluxes and profiles, will be used in particular for the data interpretation of the HERSCHEL open time-key program GASPS. The calculated line fluxes show a strong dependence on the assumed ultraviolet excess of the central star and on the disc flaring. The fraction of models predicting [Oi] and [Cii] fine-structure lines fluxes above HERSCHEL/PACS and SPICA/SAFARI detection limits is calculated as a function of disc mass. The possibility of deriving the disc gas mass from line observations is discussed.

A polar+equatorial wind model for broad absorption line quasars

Despite all the studies, the geometry of the wind at the origin of the blueshifted broad absorption lines (BAL) observed in nearly 20% of quasars still remains a matter of debate. We want to see if a two-component polar+equatorial wind geometry can reproduce the typical BAL profiles observed in these objects. We built a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code (called MCRT) to simulate the line profiles formed in a polar+equatorial wind in which the photons, emitted from a spherically symmetric core are resonantly scattered. Our goal is to reproduce typical C IV line profiles observed in BAL quasars and to identify the parameters governing the line profiles. The two-component wind model appears to be efficient in reproducing the BAL profiles from the P Cygni-type profiles to the more complex ones. Some profiles can also be reproduced with a pole-on view. Our simulations provide evidence of a high-velocity rotation of the wind around the polar axis in BAL quasars with non P Cygni-type line profiles.

Multidimensional modelling of X-ray spectra for AGN accretion disc outflows - II

Highly-ionized fast accretion-disk winds have been suggested as an explanation for a variety of observed absorption and emission features in the X-ray spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei. Simple estimates have suggested that these flows may be massive enough to carry away a significant fraction of the accretion energy and could be involved in creating the link between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. However, testing these hypotheses, and quantifying the outflow signatures, requires high-quality theoretical spectra for comparison with observations. Here we describe extensions of our Monte Carlo radiative transfer code that allow us to generate realistic theoretical spectra for a much wider variety of disk wind models than possible in our previous work. In particular, we have expanded the range of atomic physics simulated by the code so that L- and M-shell ions can now be included. We have also substantially improved our treatment of both ionization and radiative heating such that we are now able to compute spectra for outflows containing far more diverse plasma conditions. We present example calculations that illustrate the variety of spectral features predicted by parametrized outflow models and demonstrate their applicability to the interpretation of data by comparison with observations of the bright quasar PG1211+143. We find that the major features in the observed 2 - 10 keV spectrum of this object can be well-reproduced by our spectra, confirming that it likely hosts a massive outflow.

Spectroscopic study of ‘CO’ and its isotopic mm/submillimeter lines from dark cloud Lynds 183

We have made spectral line analysis of CO and its isotopic lines from dark cloud Lynds 183 (L183). Our dataset incorporates 12CO(1-0), 13CO(1-0) and 13CO(2-1) lines using NRAO-12 m and 12CO(3-2), 13CO(3-2) lines using CSO-10 m telescopes, respectively. Observations suggest steep north-south (direction with respect to the offset position (0, 0)) temperature gradient in the cloud. These are likely to be caused by non-uniform, Inter Stellar Radiation Field (ISRF) illumination due to the shadow of nearby L134 cloud complex. As the emission of radiation depends on local properties like density and kinetic temperature, the present study attempts to deduce the irradiation contrast (and the resulting temperature difference) using 1D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code RATRAN. The model results accord with the observed data and shows a temperature difference of ∼7 K mainly within the cloud envelope. This results in a non-uniform intensity distribution of both CO and its species.

Mass loss from inhomogeneous hot star winds

<i>Context. <i/>The mass-loss rate is a key parameter of hot, massive stars. Small-scale inhomogeneities (clumping) in the winds of these stars are conventionally included in spectral analyses by assuming optically thin clumps, a void inter-clump medium, and a smooth velocity field. To reconcile investigations of different diagnostics (in particular, unsaturated UV resonance lines vs. /radio emission) within such models, a highly clumped wind with very low mass-loss rates needs to be invoked, where the resonance lines seem to indicate rates an order of magnitude (or even more) lower than previously accepted values. If found to be realistic, this would challenge the radiative line-driven wind theory and have dramatic consequences for the evolution of massive stars. <i>Aims. <i/>We investigate basic properties of the formation of resonance lines in small-scale inhomogeneous hot star winds with non-monotonic velocity fields.<i>Methods. <i/>We study inhomogeneous wind structures by means of 2D stochastic and pseudo-2D radiation-hydrodynamic wind models, constructed by assembling 1D snapshots in radially independent slices. A Monte-Carlo radiative transfer code, which treats the resonance line formation in an axially symmetric spherical wind (without resorting to the Sobolev approximation), is presented and used to produce synthetic line spectra.<i>Results. <i/>The optically thin clumping limit is only valid for very weak lines. The detailed density structure, the inter-clump medium, and the non-monotonic velocity field are all important for the line formation. We confirm previous findings that radiation-hydrodynamic wind models reproduce observed characteristics of strong lines (e.g., the black troughs) without applying the highly supersonic “microturbulence” needed in smooth models. For intermediate strong lines, the velocity spans of the clumps are of central importance. Current radiation-hydrodynamic models predict spans that are too large to reproduce observed profiles unless a very low mass-loss rate is invoked. By simulating lower spans in 2D stochastic models, the profile strengths become drastically reduced, and are consistent with higher mass-loss rates. To simultaneously meet the constraints from strong lines, the inter-clump medium must be non-void. A first comparison to the observed Phosphorus V doublet in the O6 supergiant <i>λ<i/> Cep confirms that line profiles calculated from a stochastic 2D model reproduce observations with a mass-loss rate approximately ten times higher than that derived from the same lines but assuming optically thin clumping. Tentatively this may resolve discrepancies between theoretical predictions, evolutionary constraints, and recent derived mass-loss rates, and suggests a re-investigation of the clump structure predicted by current radiation-hydrodynamic models.

Accelerating dust temperature calculations with graphics-processing units

When calculating the infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of galaxies in radiation-transfer models, the calculation of dust grain temperatures is generally the most time-consuming part of the calculation. Because of its highly parallel nature, this calculation is perfectly suited for massively parallel general-purpose graphics-processing units (GPUs). This paper presents an implementation of the calculation of dust grain equilibrium temperatures on GPUs in the Monte-Carlo radiation transfer code sunrise, using the CUDA API. The GPU can perform this calculation 69 times faster than the eight CPU cores, showing great potential for accelerating calculations of galaxy SEDs.

EX Lupi in quiescence

EX Lup is the prototype of EXors, a subclass of low-mass pre-main sequence stars whose episodic eruptions are attributed to temporarily increased accretion. In quiescence the optical and near-infrared properties of EX Lup cannot be distinguished from those of normal T Tau stars. Here we investigate whether it is the circumstellar disk structure which makes EX Lup an atypical Class II object. During outburst the disk might undergo structural changes. Our characterization of the quiescent disk is intended to serve as a reference to study the physical changes related to one of EX Lupi's strongest known eruptions in 2008 Jan-Sep. We searched the literature for photometric and spectroscopic observations including ground-based, IRAS, ISO and Spitzer data. After constructing the optical-infrared spectral energy distribution (SED), we compared it with the typical SEDs of other young stellar objects and modeled it using the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code RADMC. A mineralogical decomposition of the 10 micron silicate emission feature and also the description of the optical and near-infrared spectra were performed. The SED is in general similar to that of a typical T Tauri star, though above 7 micron EX Lup emits higher flux. The quiescent phase data suggest low level variability in the optical-mid-infrared domain. Integrating the optical and infrared fluxes we derived a bolometric luminosity of 0.7 L_Sun. The 10 micron silicate profile could be fitted by a mixture consisting of amorphous silicates, no crystalline silicates were found. A modestly flaring disk model with a total mass of 0.025 M_Sun and an outer radius of 150 AU was able to reproduce the observed SED. The derived inner radius of 0.2 AU is larger than the sublimation radius, and this inner gap sets EX Lup aside from typical T Tauri stars.

The inner rim structures of protoplanetary discs

The inner boundary of protoplanetary discs is structured by the dramatic opacity changes at the transition from the dust-containing to a dust-free zone. This paper explores the variety and limits of inner rim structures in passively heated dusty discs. For this study, we implemented detailed sublimation physics in a fast Monte Carlo radiative transfer code. We show that the inner rim in dusty discs is not an infinitely sharp wall but a diffuse region which may be narrow or wide. Furthermore, high surface densities and large silicate grains as well as iron and corundum grains decrease the rim radius, from a 2.2AU radius for small silicates around a 47 Solar luminosity Herbig Ae star typically to 0.4AU and as close as 0.2AU. A passive disc with grain growth and a diverse dust composition must thus have a small inner rim radius. Finally, an analytical expression is presented for the rim location as a function of dust, disc and stellar properties.

Testing star formation rate indicators using galaxy merger simulations and radiative transfer

AbstractWe discuss our ongoing project analyzing N-body/smoothed-particle hydrodynamics simulations of isolated and merging galaxies, performed using GADGET-2 (Springel 2005), with the 3-D adaptive grid, polychromatic Monte Carlo radiative transfer code SUNRISE (Jonsson 2006). We apply commonly used UV, optical, and IR star formation rate (SFR) indicators to the integrated spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the simulated galaxies in order to determine how well the SFR indicators recover the instantaneous SFR in the simulations. The models underlying each SFR indicator must necessarily make assumptions about physical properties of the galaxies, e.g., the star formation history (SFH), whereas all such properties are known in the simulations. This enables us to test and compare SFR indicators in a way that is complementary to observational studies. We present one preliminary result of interest: even after correcting the Hα luminosity for dust using the Calzetti et al. (2000) attenuation law the SFR is significantly underestimated for simulated galaxies with SFR ≳ 10 M⊙ yr−1.

MULTIDIMENSIONAL CHEMICAL MODELING OF YOUNG STELLAR OBJECTS. II. IRRADIATED OUTFLOW WALLS IN A HIGH-MASS STAR-FORMING REGION

Observations of the high-mass star-forming region AFGL 2591 reveal a large abundance of CO+, a molecule known to be enhanced by far-ultraviolet (FUV) and X-ray irradiation. In chemical models assuming a spherically symmetric envelope, the volume of gas irradiated by protostellar FUV radiation is very small due to the high extinction by dust. The abundance of CO+ is thus underpredicted by orders of magnitude. In a more realistic model, FUV photons can escape through an outflow region and irradiate gas at the border to the envelope. Thus, we introduce the first two-dimensional axisymmetric chemical model of the envelope of a high-mass star-forming region to explain the CO+ observations as a prototypical FUV tracer. The model assumes an axisymmetric power-law density structure with a cavity due to the outflow. The local FUV flux is calculated by a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code taking scattering on dust into account. A grid of precalculated chemical abundances, introduced in the first part of this series of papers, is used to quickly interpolate chemical abundances. This approach allows us to calculate the temperature structure of the FUV-heated outflow walls self-consistently with the chemistry. Synthetic maps of the line flux are calculated using a raytracer code. Single-dish and interferometric observations are simulated and the model results are compared to published and new JCMT and Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations. The two-dimensional model of AFGL 2591 is able to reproduce the JCMT single-dish observations and also explains the nondetection by the SMA. We conclude that the observed CO+ line flux and its narrow width can be interpreted by emission from the warm and dense outflow walls irradiated by protostellar FUV radiation.

REVEALING THE STRUCTURE OF A PRE-TRANSITIONAL DISK: THE CASE OF THE HERBIG F STAR SAO 206462 (HD 135344B)

SAO 206462 (HD 135344B) has previously been identified as a Herbig F star with a circumstellar disk with a dip in its infrared excess near 10 μm. In combination with a low accretion rate estimated from Br γ ,i t may represent a gapped, but otherwise primordial or “pre-transitional” disk. We test this hypothesis with Hubble Space Telescope coronagraphic imagery, FUV spectroscopy and imagery and archival X-ray data, and spectral energy distribution (SED) modeling constrained by the observed system inclination, disk outer radius, and outer disk radial surface brightness (SB) profile using the Whitney Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer Code. The essentially face-on (i 20 ◦ ) disk is detected in scattered light from 0. �� 4t o 1. �� 15 (56–160 AU), with a steep (r −9.6 ) radial SB profile from 0. 6t o 0. 93. Fitting the SB data requires a concave upward or anti-flared outer disk, indicating substantial dust grain growth and settling by 8 ± 4 Myr. The warm dust component is significantly variable in near to mid-IR excess and in temperature. At its warmest, it appears confined to a narrow belt from 0.08 to 0.2 AU. The steep SED for this dust component is consistent with grains with a 2.5 μm. For cosmic carbon to silicate dust composition, conspicuous 10 μm silicate emission would be expected and is not observed. This may indicate an elevated carbon to silicate ratio for the warm dust, which is not required to fit the outer disk. At its coolest, the warm dust can be fit with a disk from 0.14 to 0.31 AU, but with a higher inclination than either the outer disk or the gaseous disk, providing confirmation of the high inclination inferred from mid-IR interferometry. In tandem, the compositional and inclination difference between the warm dust and the outer dust disk suggests that the warm dust may be of second-generation origin, rather than a remnant of a primordial disk component. With its near face-on inclination, SAO 206462’s disk is a prime location for planet searches.

X-RAY IRRADIATED PROTOPLANETARY DISK ATMOSPHERES. II. PREDICTIONS FROM MODELS IN HYDROSTATIC EQUILIBRIUM

We present new models for the X-ray photoevaporation of circumstellar discs which suggest that the resulting mass loss (occurring mainly over the radial range 10-40 AU) may be the dominant dispersal mechanism for gas around low mass pre-main sequence stars, contrary to the conclusions of previous workers. Our models combine use of the MOCASSIN Monte Carlo radiative transfer code and a self-consistent solution of the hydrostatic structure of the irradiated disc. We estimate the resulting photoevaporation rates assuming sonic outflow at the surface where the gas temperature equals the local escape temperature and derive mass loss rates of ~10^{-9} M_sun/yr, typically a factor 2-10 times lower than the corresponding rates in our previous work (Ercolano et al., 2008) where we did not adjust the density structure of the irradiated disc. The somewhat lower rates, and the fact that mass loss is concentrated towards slightly smaller radii, result from the puffing up of the heated disc at a few AU which partially screens the disc at tens of AU. (.....) We highlight the fact that X-ray photoevaporation has two generic advantages for disc dispersal compared with photoevaporation by extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photons that are only modestly beyond the Lyman limit: the demonstrably large X-ray fluxes of young stars even after they have lost their discs and the fact that X-rays are effective at penetrating much larger columns of material close to the star (abridged).

Polarized light in coastal waters: hyperspectral and multiangular analysis

Measurements of the underwater polarized light field were performed at different stations, atmospheric conditions and water compositions using a newly developed hyperspectral and multiangular polarimeter during a recent cruise in the coastal areas of New York Harbor - Sandy Hook, NJ region (USA). Results are presented for waters with chlorophyll concentrations 1.3-4.8 microg/l and minerals concentrations 2.0- 3.9 mg/l. Angular and spectral variations of the degree of polarization are found to be consistent with theory. Maximum values of the degree of polarization do not exceed 0.4 and the position of the maximum is close to 100 masculine scattering angle. Normalized radiances and degrees of polarization are compared with simulated ones obtained with a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code for the atmosphere-ocean system and show satisfactory agreement.

A Tale of Two Herbig Ae Stars, MWC 275 and AB Aurigae: Comprehensive Models for Spectral Energy Distribution and Interferometry

We present comprehensive models for the Herbig Ae stars MWC 275 and AB Aur that aim to explain their spectral energy distribution (from UV to millimeter) and long-baseline interferometry (from near-infrared to millimeter) simultaneously. Data from the literature, combined with new mid-infrared (MIR) interferometry from the Keck Segment Tilting Experiment, are modeled using an axisymmetric Monte Carlo radiative transfer code. Models in which most of the near-infrared (NIR) emission arises from a dust rim fail to fit the NIR spectral energy distribution (SED) and sub-milliarcsecond NIR CHARA interferometry. Following recent work, we include an additional gas emission component with similar size scale to the dust rim, inside the sublimation radius, to fit the NIR SED and long-baseline NIR interferometry on MWC 275 and AB Aur. In the absence of shielding of starlight by gas, we show that the gas-dust transition region in these YSOs will have to contain highly refractory dust, sublimating at ~1850 K. Despite having nearly identical structure in the thermal NIR, the outer disks of MWC 275 and AB Aur differ substantially. In contrast to the AB Aur disk, MWC 275 lacks small grains in the disk atmosphere capable of producing significant 10-20 μm emission beyond ~7 AU, forcing the outer regions into the shadow of the inner disk.

Galaxy merger morphologies and time-scales from simulations of equal-mass gas-rich disc mergers

A key obstacle to understanding the galaxy merger rate and its role in galaxy evolution is the difficulty in constraining the merger properties and time-scales from instantaneous snapshots of the real universe.The most common way to identify galaxy mergers is by morphology, yet current theoretical calculations of the time-scales for galaxy disturbances are quite crude. We present a morphological analysis of a large suite of GADGET N-Body/hydro-dynamical equal-mass gas-rich disc galaxy mergers which have been processed through the Monte-Carlo radiative transfer code SUNRISE. With the resulting images, we examine the dependence of quantitative morphology (G, M20, C, A) in the SDSS g-band on merger stage, dust, viewing angle, orbital parameters, gas properties, supernova feedback, and total mass. We find that mergers appear most disturbed in G-M20 and asymmetry at the first pass and at the final coalescence of their nuclei, but can have normal quantitative morphologies at other merger stages. The merger observability time-scales depend on the method used to identify the merger as well as the gas fraction, pericentric distance, and relative orientation of the merging galaxies. Enhanced star formation peaks after and lasts significantly longer than strong morphological disturbances. Despite their massive bulges, the majority of merger remnants appear disc-like and dusty in g-band light because of the presence of a low-mass star-forming disc.

Dust extinction and emission in a clumpy galactic disk

Aims. I present the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code TRADING (Transfer of RAdiation through Dust In Galaxies). The code self-consistently computes the extinction of radiation in a dusty medium (including absorption and scattering) and the dust emission.

Resolving the Chemistry in the Disk of TW Hydrae. I. Deuterated Species

We present Submillimeter Array observations of several deuterated species in the disk around the classical T Tauri star TW Hydrae at arcsecond scales, including detections of the DCN J = 3–2 and DCO+ J = 3–2 lines and upper limits to the HDO 31,2–22,1, ortho-H2D+ 11,0–11,1, and para-D2H+ 11,0–10,1 transitions. We also present observations of the HCN J = 3–2, HCO+ J = 3–2, and H13CO+ J = 4–3 lines for comparison with their deuterated isotopologues. We constrain the radial and vertical distributions of various species in the disk by fitting the data using a model where the molecular emission from an irradiated accretion disk is sampled with a two-dimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer code. We find that the distribution of DCO+ differs markedly from that of HCO+. The D/H ratios inferred change by at least 1 order of magnitude (0.01-0.1) for radii <30 to ≥70 AU, and there is a rapid falloff of the abundance of DCO+ at radii larger than 90 AU. Using a simple analytical chemical model, we constrain the degree of ionization, x(e−) = n(e−)/n(H2), to be ~10^−7 in the disk layer(s) where these molecules are present. Provided the distribution of DCN follows that of HCN, the ratio of DCN to HCN is determined to be (1.7 ± 0.5) × 10^−2; however, this ratio is very sensitive to the poorly constrained vertical distribution of HCN. The resolved radial distribution of DCO+ indicates that in situ deuterium fractionation remains active within the TW Hydrae disk and must be considered in the molecular evolution of circumstellar accretion disks.

Modeling the Dust Properties ofz∼ 6 Quasars with ART2—All‐Wavelength Radiative Transfer with Adaptive Refinement Tree

The detection of large quantities of dust in z ∼ 6 quasars by infrared and radio surveys presents puzzles for the formation and evolution of dust in these early systems. Previously, Li et al. showed that luminous quasars at z≳ 6 can form through hierarchical mergers of gas-rich galaxies, and that these systems are expected to evolve from starburst through quasar phases. Here, we calculate the dust properties of simulated quasars and their progenitors using a three-dimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer code, ART2 (All-wavelength Radiative Transfer with Adaptive Refinement Tree). ART2 incorporates a radiative equilibrium algorithm which treats dust emission self-consistently, an adaptive grid method which can efficiently cover a large dynamic range in both spatial and density scales, a multiphase model of the interstellar medium which accounts for the observed scaling relations of molecular clouds, and a supernova-origin model for dust which can explain the existence of dust in cosmologically young objects. By applying ART2 to the hydrodynamic simulations of Li et al., we reproduce the observed spectral energy distribution (SED) and inferred dust properties of SDSS J1148+5251, the most distant Sloan quasar. We find that the dust and infrared emission are closely associated with the formation and evolution of the quasar host. The system evolves from a cold to a warm ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) owing to heating and feedback from stars and the active galactic nucleus (AGN). Furthermore, the AGN activity has significant implications for the interpretation of observation of the hosts. Our results suggest that vigorous star formation in merging progenitors is necessary to reproduce the observed dust properties of z ∼ 6 quasars, supporting a merger-driven origin for luminous quasars at high redshifts and the starburst-to-quasar evolutionary hypothesis.

The Structure of the DoAr 25 Circumstellar Disk

We present high spatial resolution (< 0.3 = 40$ AU) Submillimeter Array observations of the 865 micron continuum emission from the circumstellar disk around the young star DoAr 25. Despite its bright millimeter emission, this source exhibits only a comparatively small infrared excess and low accretion rate, suggesting that the material and structural properties of the inner disk may be in an advanced state of evolution. A simple model of the physical conditions in the disk is derived from the submillimeter visibilities and the complete spectral energy distribution using a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code. For the standard assumption of a homogeneous grain size distribution at all disk radii, the results indicate a shallow surface density profile, $\Sigma \propto r^{-p}$ with p = 0.34, significantly less steep than a steady-state accretion disk (p = 1) or the often adopted minimum mass solar nebula (p = 1.5). Even though the total mass of material is large (M_d = 0.10 M_sun), the densities inferred in the inner disk for such a model may be too low to facilitate any mode of planet formation. However, alternative models with steeper density gradients (p = 1) can explain the observations equally well if substantial grain growth in the planet formation region (r < 40 AU) has occurred. We discuss these data in the context of such models with dust properties that vary with radius and highlight their implications for understanding disk evolution and the early stages of planet formation.