Understanding planet formation using microgravity experiments

TL;DR

This paper reviews how microgravity experiments are essential for understanding the process of planet formation, addressing gaps in astrophysical observations by testing models in space-like conditions.

Contribution

It summarizes current planet formation models and outlines the experimental approaches needed in microgravity to validate these models.

Findings

Current models of dust evolution and planet formation.

Microgravity experiments can test key hypotheses.

Identifies experimental needs for future research.

Abstract

In 2018, images were released of a planet being formed around the star PDS 70, offering a tantalizing glimpse into how planets come into being. However, many questions remain about how dust evolves into planets, and astrophysical observations are unable to provide all the answers. It is therefore necessary to perform experiments to reveal key details and, to avoid unwanted effects from the Earth's gravitational pull, it is often necessary to perform such experiments in microgravity platforms. This Review sketches current models of planet formation and describes the experiments needed to test the models.