Stars born in dense clusters often form binary systems, surrounded by circumbinary discs of gas and dust. Misalignments between these discs and the binary orbit are common during stellar evolution, driven by dissipation. My research, utilizing 3D hydrodynamical simulations, focuses on the evolution of highly misaligned circumbinary discs. I demonstrate that polar-aligned circumbinary discs are conducive to the formation of polar circumbinary planets. Additionally, misaligned and polar circumbinary material leads to the formation of circumstellar discs undergoing Kozai-Lidov oscillations, potentially giving rise to the formation of misaligned giant circumstellar planets. Not only can bound binary stars impact protoplanetary disc evolution and planet formation, but unbound perturbers (flybys) can as well. I showcase 3D hydrodynamical simulations of non-grazing and grazing encounters. The flyby perturbs the gas and dust differently, which may enhance planet formation during such encounters. The stellar environment is key to shaping protoplanetary discs and, thus, planet formation.
Host: Wei Zhu
