Unstable and Time-Variable Accretion Flows from Core to Disk to Star

15 Oct 2025, 09:00 → 17 Oct 2025, 19:00 America/Toronto

IdeaLab (Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Toronto)

Douglas Johnston (NRC-HAA), Shantanu Basu (CITA, University of Toronto)

Recent observations and simulations have revealed various non-smooth and irregular structures on both the prenatal core and the protoplanetary disk scales (e.g. streamers, arcs, rings, and cavities).  The central forming stars and the outflows also reveal episodic signatures. Combined, these observational results imply that star formation is not as smooth and orderly as suggested by the ‘standard model’.

This workshop aims to bring together a diverse group of observers and theorists to discuss unstable and time-variable stellar mass assembly. We will explore the significance of the observed complex structures and flow patterns in determining the outcome of star formation and identify key observational diagnostics and theoretical tests that will advance our understanding of the underlying physical processes.

Our goal is to use the meeting to plan out a future-looking White Paper.

Format: Up to 30 participants (by invitation)

Invited talks and discussion time. No proceedings, but a goal to put together a white paper to highlight the key observational diagnostics needed to answer the big questions in the field.

Registration fee: None