Volatile chemistry in planet-forming disks

Planets form within disks composed of gas, ice, and dust in orbit around young stars. The composition and distribution of volatiles (gas+ice) within these disks profoundly impacts both the chemical and physical outcomes of planet formation - including the delivery of prebiotic building blocks to new worlds. In this talk, I will describe how we are using powerful telescopes in conjunction with lab experiments to understand the chemical and microphysical behavior of volatile molecules in the extreme physical conditions that characterize planet-forming environments. We ultimately aim to assemble a more complete picture of the chemical environment which regulates the formation, composition, and potential habitability of planetesimals and planets.

Speaker: Jennifer Bergner, UC Berkeley