Planets in Formation

Understanding the complex formation process of planets requires empirical data that inform and confront theoretical models. One possible approach is to look at the outcome of the planet formation process (i.e., the population of exoplanets and their characteristics) and verify that predictions from planet formation theory match the observations. Our current approach focuses more on direct observations of circumstellar disks (i.e., the birthplaces of planetary systems) and/or young gas giant planet candidates that are still embedded within their natal environment. Obtaining empirical data on gas giant planets that are still in their formation phase is one of the most direct ways to learn about the physics of planet formation.

Publications:
Cugno et al. 2019 external pageA search for accreting young companions embedded in circumstellar disks. High-contrast Hα imaging with VLT/SPHEREcall_made

Thalmann et al. 2016 external pageResolving the Planet-hosting Inner Regions of the LkCa 15 Diskcall_made

Quanz et al. 2015 “external pageConfirmation and Characterization of the Protoplanet HD 100546 b—Direct Evidence for Gas Giant Planet Formation at 50 AUcall_made”