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The 21st Century COE Program
"Origin and Evolution of Planetary Systems"
(COEPS)

- Summary -
(Updated: 16 July 2003)




Program Summary
The program aims to form an international center for the study of the origin and evolution of solar/extra-solar planetary systems. The center hopes to promote active international interaction; program members will develop their theoretical and experimental studies together with researchers and post-docs invited from around the world and distribute their results worldwide. Furthermore, the center will contribute to the education of graduate students and young researchers coming from all over the world and to help them establish themselves in their respective fields.

Needs and Objectives for the Program
The discovery of extra-solar planetary systems requires the construction of a general model for the origin and evolution of planetary systems. This program aims to form a standard model, the "Kobe model," for the study of the origin and evolution of planetary systems based on
  • astronomical observations,
  • planetary exploration,
  • analysis of primordial material,
  • laboratory/computer simulations of elementary processes in the early phase of planetary formation
  • theoretical/experimental studies on the earth as a planet.
In addition, the program will become an international center of mutual communication and education of the next generation in the planetary sciences.

Plan for Formation of Research Center
A COE committee will be organized within the University, and will promote cooperation with others outside the University. Three process-study subgroups will be formed: studies of
  1. the origin of planetary systems,
  2. the origin and evolution of primordial materials, and
  3. the evolution of planets.
Each subgroup will consist of faculty members as well as international invited researchers and post-docs who will be selected by the COE committee. International symposia and workshops will be organized to stimulate research activities in the related scientific fields.

Education Implementation Plan
Under cooperative work with established researchers, students will grow up as unique and active researchers. The program aims to supply newly discovered, and valuable, information to the students not only inside the center but throughout the world through the Internet via the "COE Homepage" and in person through the planned "Kobe Planetary School". The program makes necessary actions to create a unique system of education, to produce an open center for all students who wish to study, and to help students to study abroad.


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