What We Don't Know About Planet Formation - From Protoplanetary Disks to Solar Systems

Explore the mysteries of planetary formation in this one-hour scientific lecture that delves into both established knowledge and remaining questions about how planets come into existence. Learn about the formation process that occurs within protoplanetary disks during a star's early life, examining detailed data on initial conditions and final outcomes from both our Solar System and extrasolar planetary systems. Discover the complex physical processes involved in the growth from dust particles to fully formed planets, including challenging aspects that are difficult to model or observe directly. Follow along as the speaker discusses current understanding of planet formation, identifies key knowledge gaps, and presents ongoing research at the Flatiron Institute aimed at expanding our comprehension of these cosmic processes.