Abstract.
We present the results of an 850 μm Submillimeter Array survey
of protoplanetary disks in the Orion Nebula cluster, conducted to
study the impact of ultraviolet radiation from massive stars on
protoplanetary disk properties. A clear disk mass distance
dependence exists in the Orion Nebula cluster with higher disk
masses found at increasing distances from θ1Ori C, the
most massive star in the region. Mass-loss due to external
ultraviolet radiation becomes negligible for disks located beyond
0.3 pc from θ1Ori C. The disk mass and size distributions
are consistent with the formation of Orion disks ∼2 Myr ago
with similar properties to disks found in low-mass star forming
regions like Taurus, followed by subsequent photo- evaporation down
to smaller masses and sizes depending on their proximity to
θ1Ori C. The fraction of surveyed Orion disks with the
potential to form Solar system analogs is ∼18%, suggesting
the potential for forming planets is not lower than in star forming
regions that lack massive stars.
Key words:circumstellar matter -- planetary systems:
protoplanetary disks --
solar system: formation -- stars: pre-main sequence