Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Planet formation and protoplanetary dust -- The origins of protoplanetary dust and the formation of accretion disks -- Evolution of protoplanetary disk structures -- Chemical and isotopic evolution of the solar nebula and protoplanetary disks -- Laboratory studies of simple dust analogs in astrophysical environments -- Dust composition in protoplanetary disks -- Dust particle size evolution -- Thermal processing in protoplanetary nebulae -- The clearing of protoplanetary disks and of the proto-solar nebula -- Accretion of planetesimals and the formation of rocky planets.

Planet formation studies uniquely benefit from three disciplines: astronomical observations of extrasolar planet-forming disks, analysis of material from the early Solar System, and laboratory astrophysics experiments. Pre-planetary solids, fine dust, and chondritic components are central elements linking these studies. This book is the first comprehensive overview of planet formation, in which astronomers, cosmochemists, and laboratory astrophysicists jointly discuss the latest insights from the Spitzer and Hubble space telescopes, new interferometers, space missions including Stardust and Deep Impact, and laboratory techniques. Following the evolution of solids from their genesis through protoplanetary disks to rocky planets, the book discusses in detail how the latest results from these disciplines fit into a coherent picture. This volume provides a clear introduction and valuable reference for students and researchers in astronomy, cosmochemistry, laboratory astrophysics, and planetary sciences.