Spitzer Space Telescope - Archive Research Proposal #40799


The Effects of Stellar Metallicity on the Frequency of Debris Disks in Young
Star Clusters

Principal Investigator: TalaWanda Monroe
           Institution: Indiana University

     Technical Contact: TalaWanda Monroe, Indiana University

Co-Investigators: 
Catherine Pilachowski, Indiana University                             

Science Category: circumstellar/debris disks 
Dollars Approved: 59617 

Abstract:
Many surveys undertaken with Spitzer Space Telescope have used open clusters of
disparate ages to study the frequency of debris disks as a function of stellar
age. Parameters other than age that may influence planetary system formation and
evolution should now be considered. The purpose of this investigation is to use
archival MIPS observations of young open clusters to systematically investigate
the role that stellar metallicity plays in the frequency of debris disks around
late B through early F stars with age. This will be accomplished by using GTO
and Legacy observations of 18 clusters within the age range of 3 to 200 Myr.