Astronomy

“Progress and challenges in modeling protoplanetary disk formation”

Abstract:
The traditional paradigm of star and planet formation can be summarized as follows: stars form with circumstellar disks due to the collapse of rotating dense gas and dust. Such disks are of existential importance as they are the birthplaces of planets. In this colloquium, I will give an overview of developments and challenges in modeling the formation of these disks that are often referred to as protoplanetary or planet-forming disks. First, I will summarize how various problems related to disk formation arose and were subsequently solved by incorporating various physical effects in spherical core collapse models during the last two decades. I will particularly focus on the effects of magnetic fields and the role of the ionization rate during the collapse phase. The latter is potentially more important for the diversity of disk sizes in various star-forming environments than currently recognized. Recent observations of so-called streamers that seem to feed the forming disk with fresh material are another sign that the protostellar environment plays a bigger role for disk and ultimately planet formation than we previously believed. In line with the picture of episodic accretion, disks may be fed with fresh material at later stages or may even be entirely rejuvenated. Finally, I will give an outlook on how multi-scale 3D magnetohydrodynamical models can help to address the revised paradigm of disk formation.

Dr. Michael Kuffmeier, University of Virginia

Thursday, September 1, 2022 @ 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM EST
217 Bryant Space Science Center
Zoom Meeting ID: 942 3296 7732

Join Zoom Meeting
https://ufl.zoom.us/j/94232967732