Phil ARMITAGE : JILA, University of Colorado
The secular evolution of discs and the formation of planets
The evolution of the gaseous component of protoplanetary discs is coupled to the early stages of planet formation via the impact of turbulence on dust settling and planetesimal formation, and to the late stages via gravitational torques that lead to migration. Ultimately, dispersal of the gas disc sets an absolute time limit for the completion of giant planet formation. I will review models for planet formation that include coupling between the gas and solid components, with a focus on the importance of Type I migration in the critical phases of gas giant formation. Prospects for indirectly detecting the influence of the gas disc in the statistical properties of extrasolar planets will be discussed.Last modified: Sun Jul 9 17:28:42 2006