ProjectThe role of giant collisions in extrasolar systems

Basic data

Title:
The role of giant collisions in extrasolar systems
Duration:
01/09/2018 to 31/10/2022
Abstract / short description:
The present project is focussed to investigate the effect of giant collisions in extrasolar planetary systems.
Giant impacts refer to collisions between two objects each of which is massive enough to be considered at least a
planetary embryo. These close encounters (such as the giant impact that led to the formation of the Moon) are not
atypical occurrences, but rather common incidents in the late phase of planet formation.
We will study these incidents by the use of numerical modelling and high-performance computing simulations.
Following effects will be considered: (i) the change of the mean bulk density and material composition of impactor and
target, (ii) the formation of exomoons, (iii) the production of debris and the formation of a debris disk.
Within the scope of the project, we will in particular investigate the formation process of super-Earths with a low
envelope-to-core mass ratio and a high bulk density by studying the fate of the He/H envelope around a silicate mantle
and iron core of a super-Earth during a giant collision.
The main goal of the project is to explain the diversity of bulk densities of extrasolar planets especially in the
super-Earth mass range and to provide predictions to observable constraints.

Involved staff

Managers

Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IAAT)
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science

Contact persons

Kley, Wilhelm
Faculty of Science
University of Tübingen
Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IAAT)
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science

Other staff

Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IAAT)
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
CRC-TR 7 - Gravitational Wave Astronomy
Collaborative research centers and transregios

Local organizational units

Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (IAAT)
Department of Physics
Faculty of Science

Funders

Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
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