Characterizing the Chemical Landscape of Planet Formation

Planetary systems are made from the dust, gas, and ice in the rotating disks around young stars. Consequently, the answers to some of the most pertinent questions in exoplanet science hinge on our knowledge of protoplanetary disk chemistry. High-sensitivity observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array allow us to detect and characterize emission lines from a wide array of molecules in young disks. We can therefore directly trace the composition of the gas available to be incorporated into forming planets and other smaller bodies. In this talk, I will show how we map the distribution of the key elements C, N, O, and S across disks, determine the availability of precursor molecules needed for prebiotic chemistry, and even directly detect newly forming planets. My research is revealing new elemental, isotopic, and organic reservoirs in disks, allowing us to make fundamental links to exoplanets and solar systems. In particular, I will present data on some of the most complex molecules detected in disks to date, potentially setting the stage for the formation of habitable planets. To conclude, I will showcase what JWST is revealing about the chemical landscape of planet formation, what we can learn from a multiwavelength approach to protoplanetary disk science, and the impact of the star-forming environment.

Biography: Alice Booth is a Clay Fellow whose research revolves around unravelling the chemical makeup of planet-forming disks. Alice uses high-sensitivity observations taken with ALMA to map the distribution of different molecular species in nearby disks. Their work has detected some of the most complex organic molecules in disks and is key in following the journey of volatiles from dark clouds to planets and comets. Alice obtained their PhD from the University of Leeds in 2020 and then was a postdoctoral researcher at Leiden Observatory until Fall 2023. (Credit: https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/people/alice-s-booth)