Gaps, Rings, Spirals, and Vortices: Structure Formation in Planet-Forming Disks

Planets are formed inside the ubiquitous disks found around young stars. The unprecedented resolution and sensitivity of ALMA and high contrast infrared imagers have revealed spectacular features, such as gaps, rings, spirals, and vortices. It is now clear that disks are much more complex, dynamic objects than previously thought and a full explanation of the richness and diversity of features presents a formidable challenge to modelers.

This MIAPP program will bring together theorists and observers of circumstellar disks to join forces to decipher these observations and find new ways to probe the processes that drive disk evolution. The program format emphasizes time for discussions and collaborative work with a small number of focused presentations intended to foster interactions.