Stellar Collisions and Pulsar Planets

Abstract

I describe models for the formation of planetary systems surrounding the remnants of stellar mergers and collisions. I focus primarily on models for the viscous evolution of disks suitable for the formation of the planets surrounding the pulsar B1257+12. I show that the adaptation of models for traditional protoplanetary disks which invoke quiescent or `dead' zones are quite successful in producing disks appropriate for the formation of the pulsar planets. I also briefly describe some even more exotic possibilities that may arise from compact object mergers.

Tex, 17 pages, including 6 postscript figures To appear in: Stellar Collisions, Mergers and their Consequences, ASP Conference Series, Ed. M. Shara