[PLS] Yayaati Chachan (McGill)

Abstract: Nearly every star has a planet orbiting around it. The formation of planets is therefore a robust outcome of star formation. Yet, our understanding of this process is still fairly primitive. In this talk, I will summarize my efforts to shed new light on the process of planet formation. By using both theoretical and observational tools, I will piece together explanations of a variety of observed properties of planets, from their orbital architectures to their compositions.

Specifically, I will show how the relation between planet occurrence rates and host star masses is a consequence of the efficiency with which dust is converted into planets. Furthermore, I’ll demonstrate how a class of planets called ultra hot Jupiters (with effective temperatures >~ 2000 K) are uniquely suited for uncovering the origin of close-in giant planets. Finally, I will summarize observational efforts that will test these ideas and provide us with more clues about how planets form.