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11/8/18: SO/NOAO Joint Colloquium Series: Erik Petigura, Caltech

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Title: Formation and Erosion of Small Planet Cores and Envelopes

Abstract:
One startling result from the Kepler mission was that nearly every Sun-like star has a planet between the size of Earth and Neptune. Given the lack of such planets orbiting the Sun, Kepler has demonstrated that the Solar System is not a typical outcome of planet formation, in at least that one key respect. Therefore, to build a complete understanding of planet formation physics, we must look to extrasolar planets. I will present some new insights into the physics of planet formation, made possible by spectra from the California-Kepler Survey and astrometry from Gaia DR2. This bird's eye view sheds light on where planets form, the speed at which they are assembled, and the deep connection between planets and their host stars.

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