Program: GN-2013A-Q-5

We propose high-resolution imaging in the mid-infrared (L'-band) of nearby, nearly edge-on, Class 0 protostars (D < 300 pc). The nearly edge-on inclination of these protostars, as inferred from Spitzer observations, makes these a unique sample for studying the properties of nascent disks in very young protostars. These observations will complement existing sub-mm interferometry of disks by providing constraints on the vertical and radial structure of disks and tracing more extended/tenuous disk material in both the radial and vertical directions. By using Monte Carlo radiative transfer models to simultaneously model the subm-mm and L'-band data, we can constrain the physical parameters needed to understand the early evolution of these disks. These observations will extend existing HST studies of edge-on disks around more evolved objects by using the longer-wavelength capabilities of Gemini to penetrate the obscuration around the youngest protostars and resolve their disks.