Star formation and planetary systems

This course will outline the formation of stars and planetary systems in two parts of equal length. Star formation will cover the stability of clouds in equilibrium and stability, the collapse of dense cores, protostars and their evolution, and the impact of young stars on their environment. Planetary formation will draw on solar system constraints and extrasolar planet detections to address the structure and evolution of protoplanetary disks, and the formation of telluric planets and giant planets.

This course will provide the theoretical knowledge needed to understand the processes of stellar and planetary formation, in each case making the link with the most recent observational constraints and numerical simulations. It will prepare students for research work in this field using a variety of methods.

Astrophysics

Atoms, Molecules and Radiation

Hydrodynamics

Statistical physics

Recommended prerequisites :

Fluid dynamics in astrophysics and cosmology

Continuous assessment and final exam

1. Introduction to star formation
2. Molecular clouds
3. Gravitational collapse
4. Formation of protostellar disks
5. Main pre-sequence stars
6. Massive star formation
7. Consequences and by-products
8. Introduction to planetary formation
9. Disc structure
10. Disc evolution
11. Disc observations
12. Planetesimal formation
13. Formation of telluric planets
14. Formation of giant planets
15. Extrasolar systems and a new perspective on planetary formation