CA22133 - The birth of solar systems (PLANETS)

Solar systems emerge from the dust, gas, and ice present in discs encircling newly-born stars. State-of-the-art images from current telescopes have revealed complex substructure (rings and gaps) in dust and gas that may be caused by forming planets. However, these observations have raised many questions regarding when and how planets form; for example, we see rings in discs too young to birth planets, and we measure disc masses too low to form a Solar System analogue. Further, the demographics provided by observations of extra-solar planetary systems have revealed huge diversity and hint that our Solar System may be unique. It is clear that our picture of the birth of Solar Systems remains incomplete despite these great advances in observations.
This Action will create a multi-disciplinary network covering three cornerstones: experiments, models, and observations. Experimental data is needed to accurately prescribe physics in models of disc evolution and planet formation, and to correctly interpret observations of dust and gas emission. Models are a “virtual laboratory” within which the impact of physics can be explored, and from which observational diagnostics can be created. Finally, observations provide us with the benchmarks needed to confirm or refute our picture of Solar System birth.
To build a holistic picture of how Solar Systems form can only be achieved with an interdisciplinary and pan-European network. This Action will provide the structure and funding needed to develop the research framework, provide training to the next generation, and to disseminate the findings to key stakeholders.