This course deals with the physics of gas and dust evolution in protoplanetary disks. Protoplanetary disks are gas disks surrounding young stars, and the solids in the disks are the building blocks of planets and other solid bodies. We will learn how micron-sized dust particles form (and do not form) kilometer-sized solid bodies called planetesimals.
1) Understand the physical processes governing the evolution of gas and dust protoplanetary disks
2) Become familiar with order-of-magnitude estimates --- how to understand physics underlying complex phenomena
3) Improve your skills in critically reading scientific papers
planet formation, protoplanetary disks, planetesimals, dust
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Lectures will be given in the first half of the course. In the second half, students will present papers on related topics.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction | Understand the basic concepts of protoplanetary disks and planetesimals |
Class 2 | Protoplanetary disks #1: Structure | Understand the structure of disks around young stars |
Class 3 | Protoplanetary disks #2: Dynamics | Understand how protoplanetary disks evolves |
Class 4 | Particle motion in protoplanetary disks | Understand how dust particles move in gas disks |
Class 5 | Dust aggregates | Understand how small grains stick together and form macroscopic bodies |
Class 6 | Planetesimal formation | Understand how micron-sized dust grains form (and do not form) kilometer-sized solid bodies |
Class 7 | Snow lines | Understand the concept of snow lines and how they affect planet formation |
Class 8 | Presentation #1 | Read papers on protoplanetary disk structure |
Class 9 | Presentation #2 | Read papers on protoplanetary disk dynamics |
Class 10 | Presentation #3 | Read papers on particle dynamics in protoplanetary disks |
Class 11 | Presentation #4 | Read papers on dust aggregates |
Class 12 | Presentation #5 | Read papers on planetesimal formation |
Class 13 | Presentation #6 | Read papers on snow lines |
Class 14 | Discussion #1 | Discuss future directions of protoplanetary disk studies |
Class 15 | Discussion #2 | Discuss future directions of planetesimal formation studies |
None
Handouts will be provided
Grades will be based on in-class participation and discussion (50%) and presentation (50%). Your participation and discussion grade will be determined based on your questions and comments to the instructor and presenters. Students who never ask a question in all classes will fail the course.
Knowledge of basic physics