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Aikawa Lab
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A lab that explores where stars and planets form from both physical and chemical perspectives.
AboutAbout the lab
From interstellar clouds to stars and planets
Aikawa Lab studies how stars and planetary systems form, as well as astrochemistry, the chemistry of the universe.
The lab looks not only at the physical processes by which stars and planets form, but also at how the interstellar material they are made from changes over time.
The lab combines theoretical and observational approaches, and also makes use of detailed observations with the ALMA radio telescope.
Assistant Professor Ohashi, who specializes in radio observations, is also part of the lab, so the lab covers both theory and observation.
Key terms
- Astrochemistry
- The field that studies how molecules in space form and how they change over time. Also called interstellar chemistry.
- Protoplanetary disk
- A disk of gas and dust orbiting a newly born star. Planets form in this disk.
- Molecular emission line
- Radio waves or light that molecules emit at specific wavelengths. They reveal which molecules are present, in what amounts, and how they are moving.
ResearchResearch themes
Based on detailed observations of nearby star-forming regions, the lab combines theory and observation in its research. It aims to empirically clarify the physical processes from interstellar clouds to stars and planetary systems, as well as the evolution of material along the way.
*Illustrative imageStructure and Evolution of Protoplanetary Disks
Using high-resolution ALMA observations, the lab studies protoplanetary disks, where planets form. By combining the thermal emission from dust with various molecular emission lines, it reveals the temperature, density, and velocity structure of the disks.
*Illustrative imageDisk Composition and Exoplanets
The composition of the gas and solids in a disk is a major factor in determining the composition and surface environment of the exoplanets that form later, and studies comparing the gas in disks with the atmospheres of exoplanets have begun. Signs that planetary systems are starting to form have also been found in disks around young protostars, drawing attention from the perspectives of both star formation and the birth of planetary systems.
*Illustrative imageEvolution of Material from Interstellar Clouds to Planetary Systems
Through theory and observation, the lab investigates how material changes between interstellar clouds and the formation of stars and planetary systems. The findings are also used in studies of nearby galaxies, such as the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds.
MembersFaculty
Aikawa Lab members include faculty, researchers, and doctoral and undergraduate students, along with research collaborators and visitors.As of 2026
- ProfessorYuri Aikawa
- Assistant ProfessorOhashi SatoshiPublications ↗
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “ALMA and a Starry Night” ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org) / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Structure and Evolution of Protoplanetary Disks: “HL Tau protoplanetary disk” ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO) / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Disk Composition and Exoplanets: “Artist’s impression of the exoplanet WASP-19b” ESO/M. Kornmesser / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Evolution of Material from Interstellar Clouds to Planetary Systems: “Herschel’s view of the Taurus molecular cloud ESA384012” European Space Agency / CC BY-SA 3.0 igo (cropped)
- Related lab (Kwon Lab): “Cat's Paw Nebula (NGC 6334)” ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Kashikawa Lab): “Subaru Telescope. Mauna Kea Summit ( )” Robert Linsdell / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Shimasaku Lab): “Webb's First Deep Field” NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Totani Lab): “Cosmic web” Volker Springel / Max Planck Institute For Astrophysics / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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