Final Report Summary - PEPS (Exploring the physics of Proto-stars and Extra-solar PlanetS)
These calculations are now at the forefront of the research in the domain and allow a detailed understanding of the very process of star formation.
The calculations have also led to the resolution of the so-called “luminosity problem” of protostars by showing that accretion on nascent objects is episodic and can lead to much compact objects, thus much lower luminosities than previously expected. These calculations provide a consistent paradigm for the observable properties of young, accreting objects. During the project, we have also developed a preliminary set of calculations of atmosphere models typical of cool objects - brown dwarfs and exoplanets - including the formation of molecules and condensates (grains) and the interplay with turbulent motions in the atmosphere. Eventually, this will lead to the reliable characterization of the fundamental properties of brown dwarfs and extrasolar planets (mass, radius, composition, temperature) in terms of their observable properties (emergent spectrum, luminosity) over the entire relevant mass range.