Dr. Eric Ford
UC Berkeley

University of Florida Astronomy Colloquium - Jan 20th, 2006

Planet Formation & Extrasolar Planets: What have we learned? What lies ahead?

For centuries, our knowledge of planetary systems and ideas about planet formation were based on a single example, our solar system. During the last thirteen years, the discovery of over 160 planetary systems has ushered in a new era for astronomy. I will review the surprising properties of extrasolar planetary systems and discuss how the wide variety of their host stars and orbital properties is revolutionizing theories of planet formation. For example, several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the large eccentricities typical of extrasolar planets. I will focus on how observations of multiple planet systems can constrain these mechanisms and provide insights into broader questions about star and planet formation. Despite rapid progress, many basic questions remain and will motivate the development of advanced observatories specifically optimized for detecting and characterizing extrasolar planets. I will discuss the plans for several of these observatories and how they will address questions that humans have pondered for millennia.