Speaker: Douglas N.C. Lin (University of California Santa Cruz, USA)

Time & Place: Thursday, 3.00pm, March 22nd, Lecture Hall, 3rd floor

Abstract: Planetary astrophysics is the most rapidly advancing field in the world-wide astronomical community today.  Advancement in observational facilities over the past two decays has led to the discoveries of more than 700 extra solar planets and nearly 3000 candidates including some with masses and sizes ranging from those of the Earth to Jupiter.  The dynamical structure of multiple planetary systems are surprisingly diverse and intriguing. This game-changing influx of data has stimulated intense theoretical efforts to understand the formation and evolution of extra solar planets.  I will discuss some paradigm shifts in theoretical planetary astrophysics and their compatibility with the latest observations.  The topics to be discussed  include the role of migration, planets' interaction with their host stars, and the internal structure of exoplanets.