Planetesimal precursors in turbulent protoplanetary disks

• Applicants: Professor Dr. H. Hubertus Klahr; Professor Dr. Wilhelm Kley (†)
• Co-Applicant: Professor Dr. Ralf Kissmann
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2006 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 24367531

The goal in this project is to utilize direct numerical simulations of turbulent disks and study in detail the dynamics of embedded planetesimal precursors ( 0.1μm - 100m). The analysis of the particle motion will be twofold: In one part we determine collision velocities and rates as a function of particle size and in the other part we determine diffusion rates for strongly and weakly coupled particles. The obtained data will be an essential input for projects B2-B5 and C2, and will also be used for project D2. We build on our world leading experience in i) Radiation-Magneto-Hydrodynamics of accretion disks and ii) the treatment and analysis of Lagrangian particles in 3D direct simulations of turbulence. This project is a direct follow-up of the project from the first funding period, as we now will combine Lagrange particles and global non-ideal radiation hydrodynamic simulations of protoplanetary disks.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 759: The Formation of Planets: The Critical First Growth Phase
• International Connection: Austria