PhD defence

Planet Formation through the Lens of Dynamics

• S. Huang

Date

Friday 19 June 2026

Time

11:30 - 12:30 hour

Address

Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden

Supervisor(s)

• Prof.dr. S. F. Portegies Zwart
• Prof.dr. C. W. Ormel

Summary

In recent decades, thousands of planets have been discovered around stars beyond our Sun. Many of these planetary systems look very different from our own Solar System, raising an important question: how do planetary systems form, and why are they so diverse?

In this thesis, I study how planets form in disks of gas and dust around young stars and how their orbits form and evolve. During their formation, planets can migrate and become locked into regular orbital patterns, where their periods follow simple integer ratios. These configurations, known as resonances, are often formed naturally due to planet migration. However, my research shows that they can later be disrupted by gravitational interactions or collisions, eventually leading to systems like our own Solar System.

Using theoretical models and computer simulations, I identify the conditions under which these resonant structures form and break apart. I also demonstrate how observations can reveal whether a planetary system once passed through such an ordered phase.

This research helps us better understand the origin and evolution of planetary systems. Connecting theory with observations, it provides new ways to interpret the growing number of exoplanet discoveries. Ultimately, it contributes to a broader understanding of how common Solar System–like architectures may be, and how planetary environments capable of supporting life could emerge.

PhD dissertations

Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.

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