# Collaborative Research: New and Improved Microwave Continuum Measurements of Protoplanetary Disk Solids

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory (MA) · $427,364

## Abstract

The goal of this proposal is to design and deliver improved measurements of the microwave continuum emission from circumstellar disks to better understand the evolution of their constituent solids during the epoch of planet formation.  The project will exploit synergies between centimeter continuum observations of protoplanetary disks with the VLA and millimeter continuum data from other facilities (e.g., ALMA) to significantly improve characterizations of the radial variations in temperatures, densities, and dust properties.  The project will develop a new Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences in radio astronomy to connect research programs to the classroom to train junior scientists in radio observations.

This proposal advocates taking advantage of the lower optical depths at < ∼ 100 GHz (∼cm-wavelength), focusing on data from the VLA, to (A) improve some of the fundamental methods for analyzing microwave continuum data; (B) leverage the novel combination of resolved multifrequency images and dense spectral coverage to enhance the precision and accuracy for inferences of key properties (e.g., the radial profiles of dust densities and particle size distributions); and (C) survey the cm-band emission from a large, diverse disk sample to better understand the origins of foundational demographic trends identified from data at higher frequencies. The project will produce a comprehensive census of the cm-band luminosities and spectral indices from dust and radio cont

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2510193
- **Awardee organization:** Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory (MA)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** Q7N8CH7NR418
- **PI:** Sean M Andrews
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** THEORETICAL & COMPUTATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS, OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY, ARCHIVAL DATA ANALYSIS
- **Estimated total:** $427,364
- **Funds obligated:** $427,364
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2510193

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2510193, Collaborative Research: New and Improved Microwave Continuum Measurements of Protoplanetary Disk Solids. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2510193. Licensed CC0.

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