The Evolution of Primordial Circumstellar Disks, Lucas Cieza (Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii)

Circumstellar disks are an integral part of the star formation process and the sites where planets are formed. Understanding the physical processes that drive their evolution, as disks evolve from optically thick primordial disks to optically thin debris disks, is crucial for our understanding of planet formation. Disks evolve through various processes including accretion onto the star, grain growth and dust settling, dynamical interactions with forming planets, and photoevaporation. However, the relative importance and timescales of these processes are still poorly understood. In this talk, I will review the main results of my recent work on circumstellar disk evolution with a focus on ground and space-based observations of the so-called "transition objects". I will also briefly discuss the prospects for studying planet formation with Herschel, ALMA and the ELTs.