Konstantin Batygin
Konstantin Batygin
Professor of Planetary Science
B.S., UC Santa Cruz, 2008; M.S., California Institute of Technology, 2010; Ph.D., 2012. Assistant Professor, Caltech, 2014-19; Van Nuys Page Scholar, 2017-19, Professor, 2019-.
Research Summary
My primary research interests lie in the field of planetary astrophysics. I am fascinated by a wide variety of problems related to the formation and evolution of the Solar System, dynamical evolution of exoplanets, as well as physical processes inherent to planetary interiors and atmospheres.
Research Options
Planetary Science;
Publications
Please see my research page for a complete list of my publications.
2025-26
Ge/Ay 133. The Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems.
9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2025-26.
Review current theoretical ideas and observations pertaining to the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Topics to be covered include low-mass star formation, the protoplanetary disk, accretion and condensation in the solar nebula, the formation of gas giants, meteorites, the outer solar system, giant impacts, extrasolar planetary systems.
Instructor: Batygin
Instructor: Batygin
Ge/Ay 137. Planetary Physics.
9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2025-26.
Prerequisites: Ph 106 abc, ACM 95/100 ab.
A quantitative review of dynamical processes that characterize long-term evolution of planetary systems. An understanding of orbit-orbit resonances, spin-orbit resonances, secular exchange of angular momentum and the onset of chaos will be developed within the framework of Hamiltonian perturbation theory. Additionally, dissipative effects associated with tidal and planet-disk interactions will be considered.
Instructor: Batygin
Instructor: Batygin
2024-25
Ge/Ay 133. The Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems.
9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2024-25.
Review current theoretical ideas and observations pertaining to the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Topics to be covered include low-mass star formation, the protoplanetary disk, accretion and condensation in the solar nebula, the formation of gas giants, meteorites, the outer solar system, giant impacts, extrasolar planetary systems.
Instructor: Batygin
Instructor: Batygin
Ge/Ay 137. Planetary Physics.
9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2024-25.
Prerequisites: Ph 106 abc, ACM 95/100 ab.
A quantitative review of dynamical processes that characterize long-term evolution of planetary systems. An understanding of orbit-orbit resonances, spin-orbit resonances, secular exchange of angular momentum and the onset of chaos will be developed within the framework of Hamiltonian perturbation theory. Additionally, dissipative effects associated with tidal and planet-disk interactions will be considered.
Instructor: Batygin
Instructor: Batygin
2023-24
Ge/Ay 133. The Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems.
9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2023-24.
Review current theoretical ideas and observations pertaining to the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Topics to be covered include low-mass star formation, the protoplanetary disk, accretion and condensation in the solar nebula, the formation of gas giants, meteorites, the outer solar system, giant impacts, extrasolar planetary systems.
Instructor: Batygin
Instructor: Batygin
Ge/Ay 137. Planetary Physics.
9 units (3-0-6); second term, 2023-24.
Prerequisites: Ph 106 abc, ACM 95/100 ab.
A quantitative review of dynamical processes that characterize long-term evolution of planetary systems. An understanding of orbit-orbit resonances, spin-orbit resonances, secular exchange of angular momentum and the onset of chaos will be developed within the framework of Hamiltonian perturbation theory. Additionally, dissipative effects associated with tidal and planet-disk interactions will be considered.
Instructor: Batygin
Instructor: Batygin
2022-23
Ge/Ay 133. The Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems.
9 units (3-0-6); first term, 2022-23.
Review current theoretical ideas and observations pertaining to the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Topics to be covered include low-mass star formation, the protoplanetary disk, accretion and condensation in the solar nebula, the formation of gas giants, meteorites, the outer solar system, giant impacts, extrasolar planetary systems.
Instructor: Batygin
Instructor: Batygin