There has been a tremendous leap forward in our understanding of the formation of planetary systems thanks to substantial advances in our observational capabilities. Observatories like ALMA are routinely revealing the presence of complex structures in the gas and dust which are forming planets, much of which has been associated with young, embedded protoplanets. Such observations are unpinning significant developments in the theory of how, and from what, planets form. In this talk I will provide an overview of our current understanding of the physical, chemical and dynamical structure of protoplanetary disks with a particular focus on how we are beginning to detect the presence of young planets, only recently formed. I will present new results from the exoALMA program, an ALMA Large Program that is undertaking an extensive planet-hunting campaign in the sub-mm, and the related projects on facilities like JWST, VLT and Magellan. To conclude, I will discuss future facilities, and detail how, in the coming decade, we will begin to push into the terrestrial planet forming regions of these disks and understand the formation of Earth-like planets. 

Speaker: Richard Teague (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

The 2025 Spring Colloquium talks are held on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM. This colloquium is hosted by STScI and will be held as an in-person and virtual event.

You may join in person at STScI’s John N. Bahcall Auditorium or virtually on STScI's Live Science Events Facebook page.

Please direct questions or comments to contact above. The 2025 Spring Colloquium Committee members are: Nestor Espinoza (STScI), Joel Green (STScI), Nick Indriolo (STScI), Elena Manjavacas (STScI), Namrata Roy (JHU), Kevin Schlaufman (JHU), Ethan Vishniac (JHU).