Formation of Planetary Systems

Abstract.

A brief summary of our current understanding of the physical structure and evolution of circumstellar disks - the sites of planet formation - is given. The different scenarios for planet formation through agglomeration of particles or gravitational instabilities in disks are discussed. Recent examples of observations of disks in the embedded phase and in the transitional phase to debris disks are given. The chemical evolution of the gas and dust from protostars to new solar systems is illustrated. Prospects for future ESO instrumentation and ESA missions are summarized.