Letters of Intent received in 2017

LoI 2019-1980
Planet Formation and Evolution: Observations Confront Theories

Topics

New discoveries and observations
Architecture of exoplanet systems
Diverse properties of exoplanet systems
Modeling and observing planet-disk interactions
Modeling and observing planets in binary star systems
Planet formation/evolution in the Solar System
Planet formation/evolution in the context of new discoveries/observations
Planet formation/evolution in the context of star/galaxy formation/evolution

Rationale

Since the discovery of 51-Peg-b in 1995, the number of known (confirmed) exoplanets has been growing exponentially, reaching over ~3500 by the time of writing (Aug. 2017). With such a rich harvest as well as abundant observations in the last two decades via various ground-based and space-based programs, the exoplanet research is migrating to a new era, towards a comprehensive view of Exo-planets. The boost of new discoveries stimulates statistical investigations of exoplanet samples and the abundant observations allow in-depth analysis of individual systems.

This symposium will bring together expertise both in theoretical and observational areas, providing the broad overview about the current status of exoplanet research. By linking the theories of (exo-)planet formation and evolution to all relevant observations, this symposium aims at a step forward towards a comprehensive understanding of the formation and evolution (exo-)planets. The symposium consists of a series of invited talks, oral and poster presentations, through which the participants will present their current research progresses, identify the challenges as observations confront theories, and discuss the plans for future developments.

The symposium will be held during April 8-12, 2019 in Nanjing University, Nanjing, China. By that time, GAIA, TESS and CHEOPS will have released plenty of data, thus this symposium is a very timely occasion for sharing and discussing new advancements made in extrasolar planetary science.

The host, Nanjing, known as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, was the cradle of Chinese Astronomy and it is now the home of three major astronomical institutions, Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO), Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics & Technology (NIAOT) and the School of Astronomy and Space Science in Nanjing University (NJU). NJU is one of the oldest Universities in China and has cultivated lots of astronomers who are currently active in the academic society. We believe NJU, Nanjing will be in ideal choice as the symposium location.

The proposer has experience in organizing two previous IAU symposiums on (exo)planets (IAUS-249 in Suzhou, 2007 and IAUS-293 in Beijing, 2012). Since then, the Chinese astronomical community on (exo)planets has been growing rapidly, and we hope to organize the third one in the near future (2019) to have an (exo)planets reunion back to China.