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Updated: May 1, 2026

Simulation of the Planetary Interior Differentiation Processes in the Laboratory
Published on: November 15, 2013
Planetary system formation in thermally evolving viscous protoplanetary discs
Richard P Nelson1, Phil Hellary, Stephen M Fendyke
1Astronomy Unit, Queen Mary, University of London, , Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
Abstract:
Observations of extrasolar planets are providing new opportunities for furthering our understanding of planetary formation processes. In this paper, we review planet formation and migration scenarios and describe some recent simulations that combine planetary accretion and gas-disc-driven migration. While the simulations are successful at forming populations of low- and intermediate-mass planets with short orbital periods, similar to those that are being observed by ground- and space-based surveys, our models fail to form any gas giant planets that survive migration into the central star. The simulation results are contrasted with observations, and areas of future model development are discussed.
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