The evolution and dynamics of planet-forming discs – Prof Richard Alexander
Channel: Herts Research
Date: 2024-02-19

This talk was part of the UH Centre for Astrophysics Research (CAR) 2023-2024 seminar series. For the ongoing programme, please see: https://www.herts.ac.uk/research/centres/car/seminars-and-meetings

Date: 7 February 2024
Speaker: Prof Richard Alexander – University of Leicester
Title: The evolution and dynamics of planet-forming discs

Abstract: Planets form in cold discs of dust and gas around newly-formed stars, and understanding these so-called protoplanetary discs is critical to understanding planet formation. In this talk I will discuss how protoplanetary discs evolve, and how these discs shape the formation and evolution of planetary systems. The dominant processes driving disc evolution are accretion and mass-loss. I will present new models and observations of protoplanetary disc winds, and show how forbidden emission lines can be used to measure the properties of these winds and their effects on disc evolution. I will discuss the physics of disc accretion, and how we can can use both models and data to understand the processes driving disc evolution. I will also present simulations of planet-disc interactions, and look in particular at the dynamics and observable signatures of planets on inclined orbits. Finally I will discuss how we can apply these results more broadly, and what we can hope to learn in the coming years.