Hubert Klahr

Hubert Klahr is an apl. Prof. (Associate Professor) and Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. He leads multiple research groups focused on Planet Formation and Exoplanets, Star Formation, and the Theory of Planet and Star Formation within the Department of Planet and Star Formation.

His research centers on computational physics applied to the formation of the solar system and exoplanets, with particular emphasis on turbulence in protoplanetary disks. Klahr employs multidimensional self-gravitating magneto hydro dynamical simulations of turbulent gas and embedded particles using massive parallel computers to investigate fundamental questions about solar system formation, star formation processes, and the role of turbulence in planet formation. His specific research interests include determining how Earth came to life, how massive and small stars form, the nature of turbulence in planet formation, the initial mass function of planets, planetary formation distances from stars, and the prevalence of Earth-sized planets in habitable zones.

His recent publications (2024-2025) focus on advanced computational modeling of protoplanetary disks, planet-disk interactions, radiation hydrodynamics, and planetesimal formation mechanisms. Key research themes include vertical shear instability, three-temperature radiation hydrodynamics, spiral arm formation in disks, and dust evolution in protoplanetary environments.

Prof. Klahr has engaged with the public through lectures such as 'Lucy: Eine Reise zu den Fossilien unseres Sonnensystems' (Lucy: A Journey to the Fossils of Our Solar System), where he discussed the Lucy mission to Trojan asteroids that serve as relics of the early solar system.