Planet Formation
Theory, Observations, and Experiments

This 2006 book summarises understanding of planet formation processes, and addresses major open questions and research issues.

Hubert Klahr (Edited by), Wolfgang Brandner (Author)

9780521180740, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 February 2011

320 pages
24.4 x 17 x 1.7 cm, 0.51 kg

Review of the hardback: ' … a very welcome contribution, helping the dynamicist understand the hazy limit between low-mass stars and planets, as well as discussing their differences in observational characteristics and probable formation process … this book is recommended for those researchers who, although fluent in Celestial Mechanics, wish to expand their knowledge on the physical aspects of cosmogony before embarking in this multi-disciplinary field.' Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy

When this book was published in 2006, it had been just over ten years since the first planet outside our solar system was detected. Since then, much work has focused on understanding how extrasolar planets may form, and discovering the frequency of potentially habitable Earth-like planets. This volume addresses fundamental questions concerning the formation of planetary systems in general, and of our solar system in particular. Drawing from advances in observational, experimental and theoretical research, it summarises our understanding of the planet formation processes, and addresses major open questions and research issues. Chapters are written by leading experts in the field of planet formation and extrasolar planet studies. The book is based on a meeting held at Ringberg Castle in Bavaria, where experts gathered together to present and exchange their ideas and findings. It is a comprehensive resource for graduate students and researchers, and is written to be accessible to newcomers to the field.

1. Historical notes on planet formation Bodenheimer
2. The formation and evolution of planetary systems Bouwman et al.
3. Destruction of protoplanetary disks by photoevaporation Richling, Hollenbach and Yorke
4. Turbulence in protoplanetary accretion disks Klahr, Rozyczka, Dziourkevitch, Wunsch and Johansen
5. The origin of solids in the early solar system Trieloff and Palme
6. Experiments on planetesimal formation Wurm and Blum
7. Dust coagulation in protoplanetary disks Henning, Dullemond, Wolf and Dominik
8. The accretion of giant planet cores Thommes and Duncan
9. Planetary transits: direct vision of extrasolar planets Lecavelier des Etangs and Vidal-Madjar
10. The core accretion - gas capture model Hubickyj
11. Properties of exoplanets Marcy, Fischer, Butler and Vogt
12. Giant planet formation: theories meet observations Boss
13. From hot Jupiters to hot Neptures … and below Lovis, Mayor and Udry
14. Disk-planet interaction and migration Masset and Kley
15. The Brown Dwarf - planet relation Bate
16. From astronomy to astrobiology Brandner
17. Overview and prospective Lin.

Subject Areas: Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS]