The Origins & Reservoirs of Exocomets
Michele Bannister, Susanne Pfalzner, Tim Pearce, Alexander J. Mustill, Hubert Klahr, Hideko Nomura, Nagayoshi Ohashi, Rosita Kokotanekova, Sebastian Marino, Dennis Bodewits, Raphael Marschall, Darryl Z. Seligman, Geraint H. Jones, Dimitri Veras
Published: 2025/9/26
Abstract
Small bodies exist in distinct populations within their planetary systems. These reservoir populations hold a range of compositions, which to first order are dependent on formation location relative to their star. We provide a general overview of the nature of the reservoirs that source exocomets, from the influence of the stellar environment through planetesimal formation to comparisons with Solar System populations. Once transitioned from a young protoplanetary disc to a debris disc, a star can expect to be rained with exocomets. While exocomets are predominantly detected to date at A-type stars, planetesimals plausibly exist across a range of stellar masses, based on exoplanet abundance, debris disc occurrence and white dwarf infall.