Colloquium: The Puzzle of Planet Formation
The Puzzle of Planet Formation
Joanna Drazkowska
Research Group Leader
Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Göttingen, Germany
The classical theory of planet formation was conceived when our knowledge about planets was confined to the Solar System alone. In recent years, this landscape has been dramatically transformed with the numerous discoveries of planetary systems orbiting stars other than the Sun. Nevertheless, the formation of planets remains one of the major unsolved problems in modern astrophysics. In this talk, I will outline the emerging paradigm in which the centimeter-sized dust aggregates, colloquially known as pebbles, take center stage. Focusing on the early stages of planet formation, we will examine the growth process of tiny dust grains into pebbles, as well as the formation of planetesimals — the first gravitationally-bound building blocks that precede today's asteroids and comets. Finally, I will present the latest breakthroughs achieved through cutting-edge numerical models, including a likely scenario for the genesis of massive planet chains, such as the outer planets within our Solar System.
recording: www.youtube.com/watch