Lucas Cieza, University of Hawaii
Transition Disks as Disk Evolution and Planet Formation Laboratories
Circumstellar disks are an integral part of the star formation process and the sites where planets are formed. Understanding their evolution is crucial for planet formation theory. Disks evolve through various physical processes, including accretion onto the star, grain growth and dust settling, dynamical interactions, and photoevaporation. In this talk, I will review our current understanding of the evolution of protoplanetary disks and the constraints they provide on planet formation processes. I will present results from our work on the so-called "transition" circumstellar disks, aiming to identify the observational signatures of the different disk evolution processes and the sites of ongoing giant planet formation (i.e., the ultimate planet formation laboratories!). I will also discuss the prospects for detailed studies of these fascinating objects with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) as well as for the direct detection of forming planets with current and future instrumentation.
Host: Martha Haynes
