Planet formation and migration around young stars
(2025) FYSK04 20242Astrophysics
- Abstract
- Planet formation is a complex process influenced by the interplay of pebble accretion, gas accretion, and disk evolution. This thesis explores the growth and migration of protoplanets within protoplanetary disks through analytical modeling and Monte Carlo simulations. The study demonstrates how varying disk properties, such as the pebble flux and the turbulent viscosity, affect the formation pathways of planets. Results show that planets forming beyond the water ice line are more likely to grow into gas giants due to increased pebble accretion rates, while those forming closer to the star tend to remain as super-Earths or ice-rich cores. The simulations highlight the significance of reaching the pebble isolation mass and the role of gas... (More)
- Planet formation is a complex process influenced by the interplay of pebble accretion, gas accretion, and disk evolution. This thesis explores the growth and migration of protoplanets within protoplanetary disks through analytical modeling and Monte Carlo simulations. The study demonstrates how varying disk properties, such as the pebble flux and the turbulent viscosity, affect the formation pathways of planets. Results show that planets forming beyond the water ice line are more likely to grow into gas giants due to increased pebble accretion rates, while those forming closer to the star tend to remain as super-Earths or ice-rich cores. The simulations highlight the significance of reaching the pebble isolation mass and the role of gas accretion in determining planetary diversity. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms driving planetary system architectures and underscore the importance of integrating disk evolution and migration effects into future models of planet formation. (Less)
- Popular Abstract
- Journey to the Origins: How Young Stars Sculpt Planetary Systems
Ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered how planets like our own came to be? It is a question that has fascinated humanity for centuries, and one that I have been exploring in my recent research on planet formation and migration around young stars.
Imagine a cosmic dance floor where young stars are the DJs, spinning tunes that set the rhythm for planets to form and move. These stars are surrounded by swirling disks of gas and dust, called protoplanetary disks. Within these disks, particles collide and stick together, gradually building up into planets over millions of years. But here’s the twist: these newly formed planets don’t always stay put. They can migrate,... (More) - Journey to the Origins: How Young Stars Sculpt Planetary Systems
Ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered how planets like our own came to be? It is a question that has fascinated humanity for centuries, and one that I have been exploring in my recent research on planet formation and migration around young stars.
Imagine a cosmic dance floor where young stars are the DJs, spinning tunes that set the rhythm for planets to form and move. These stars are surrounded by swirling disks of gas and dust, called protoplanetary disks. Within these disks, particles collide and stick together, gradually building up into planets over millions of years. But here’s the twist: these newly formed planets don’t always stay put. They can migrate, moving closer to or farther from their host stars, reshaping the architecture of their solar systems.
One of the most intriguing findings from my research is how the size and composition of these protoplanetary disks influence planet formation. Larger disks with abundant material can give birth to giant planets like Jupiter, while smaller disks might only produce rocky worlds like Earth. But it’s not just about size—it’s also about timing. Planets that form early while the disk is still rich in material have a better chance of becoming giants. Those that form later might end up as smaller, terrestrial planets.
Migration plays a starring role in this cosmic saga. Young planets can interact with the disk material, creating waves that push them inward or outward. This movement can explain why we find ”hot jupiters”—giant planets orbiting perilously close to their stars—in other solar systems, while our own Jupiter sits comfortably farther out. It’s like musical chairs on a planetary scale, with planets scrambling for their spots before the music (or rather, the disk material) runs out.
Now, why does this matter to us here on Earth? Understanding how planets form and migrate helps us answer fundamental questions about our place in the universe. Are solar systems like ours common or rare? Could there be other Earth-like planets out there with the potential for life? By studying young stars and their planetary offspring, we’re piecing together the story of how our own planet came to be.
A fun fact I stumbled upon during my research is that some planets might actually form in the outer regions of these disks and migrate inward, bringing with them icy materials that could seed inner planets with water—a possible explanation for Earth’s oceans. It’s like interstellar delivery!
In pop culture, movies like Interstellar and Star Wars have captivated us with exotic worlds and the mysteries of space. While we might not be hopping between galaxies anytime soon, the real science of planet formation is just as thrilling. Each new discovery brings us closer to understanding the vast, dynamic universe we live in.
So next time you look up at the stars, think about the incredible processes unfolding around those distant suns. Planets are being born, migrating, and setting the stage for potential new worlds. And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll find a planet that’s not just similar to ours, but tells its own unique story of formation and migration in the cosmos. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9185999
- author
- Busch, Chirantha LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- FYSK04 20242
- year
- 2025
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- report number
- 2025–EXA240
- language
- English
- id
- 9185999
- date added to LUP
- 2025-03-05 08:14:55
- date last changed
- 2025-03-05 08:14:55
@misc{9185999,
abstract = {{Planet formation is a complex process influenced by the interplay of pebble accretion, gas accretion, and disk evolution. This thesis explores the growth and migration of protoplanets within protoplanetary disks through analytical modeling and Monte Carlo simulations. The study demonstrates how varying disk properties, such as the pebble flux and the turbulent viscosity, affect the formation pathways of planets. Results show that planets forming beyond the water ice line are more likely to grow into gas giants due to increased pebble accretion rates, while those forming closer to the star tend to remain as super-Earths or ice-rich cores. The simulations highlight the significance of reaching the pebble isolation mass and the role of gas accretion in determining planetary diversity. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms driving planetary system architectures and underscore the importance of integrating disk evolution and migration effects into future models of planet formation.}},
author = {{Busch, Chirantha}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Planet formation and migration around young stars}},
year = {{2025}},
}