Dr. James Owen

Biography

I am a theoretical astrophysicist in the Astrophysics group, holding a senior Royal Society University Research Fellowship. My research interests primarily include planet formation, extra-solar planets, and accretion disc physics. The discovery of extra-solar planets (exoplanets) has marked a staggering advance in astronomy over the past decades. I investigate the diversity of planetary systems, which is far greater than previously imagined. A particular focus of my current work is understanding close-in super-Earths and mini-Neptunes, including their formation and evolution. The fact that many planets reside close to their stars means their atmospheres are subject to intense irradiation, which can be orders of magnitude stronger than what is experienced by planets in our own solar system. This irradiation drives vigorous atmospheric escape, effectively 'evaporating' these planets over long time scales. By understanding exoplanet atmospheres and their escape mechanisms, I aim to build a clearer picture of how these planets appeared in the past. In addition, I study the earliest phases of the planet formation process, wherein planets are formed within thin rotating gas discs that surround young stars. These protoplanetary discs provide the environment necessary for planets to grow and migrate. In recent years, advancements in imaging technology have allowed us to capture unprecedented resolutions of these discs, unveiling complex structures that are linked to the planet formation process. My goal is to complete the understanding of how these structures are connected to the properties of the planets that arise from them.

Research Interests