Recent Results in Exoplanet Formation, Structure and Evolution

Gilles Chabrier, ENS Lyon

Abstract:

In the first part of the talk, I will critically review our present understanding of planet formation and examine the latest results obtained within the framework of the so-called core-accretion model. In a second part, I will examine our descriptions of the internal structure and cooling history of exoplanets, as well as of their observational mechanical (mass-radius) and thermal (spectral energy distribution) signatures. I will examine the key role played by various physical mechanisms on planet structure and evolution. Finally, I will briefly mention the expected bio-signatures of exo-Earth planets.