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The theoretical basis for understanding the formation of the planets in our own
solar system is far from secure. Also, in the last decade several hundred planets
have been discovered orbiting other stars and these discoveries have included
some surprises. For example, there are numerous extra-solar planets with very
eccentric orbits, and gas-giant planets which orbit close to their star.
The standard theories for planet formation involve building up planets from dust grains which are suspended in the gas of the circumstellar nebula surrounding young stars. I will review the standard models for the growth of planets starting from the aggregation of dust particles, and describe some of the difficulties faced by these models. I shall describe some recent attempts to circumvent these difficulties by embellishments of the standard models. The standard theories for planet formation involve building up planets from dust grains which are suspended in the gas of the circumstellar nebula surrounding young stars. I will review the standard models for the growth of planets starting from the aggregation of dust particles, and describe some of the difficulties faced by these models. I shall describe some recent attempts to circumvent these difficulties by embellishments of the standard models. |
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