From Disks to Planets by Andrew N. Youdin, Scott J. Kenyon
Publisher: arXiv 2012
Number of pages: 70
This pedagogical chapter covers the theory of planet formation, with an emphasis on the physical processes relevant to current research. After summarizing empirical constraints from astronomical and geophysical data, we describe the structure and evolution of protoplanetary disks. We consider the growth of planetesimals and of larger solid protoplanets, followed by the accretion of planetary atmospheres, including the core accretion instability.
Science Astronomy Planetary science