Observing Planet Formation

Exoplanetary systems show an incredible diversity, hosting planets with a vast range of masses, radii, and orbital separations. However, it remains unclear whether this diversity stems from a distribution of initial conditions or is the result of multiple planet formation pathways. It is therefore fundamental to detect young, embedded planets during their formation process. Recent observations of protoplanetary discs have revealed rings and gaps, spirals, and asymmetries. These features have been interpreted as signatures of newborn protoplanets, but their exact origin remains unknown and, until recently, was poorly constrained by direct observation. In this talk, I will show how high spatial and spectral resolution ALMA observations can be used to detect embedded planets within their discs. In particular, I will present results from the exoALMA planet-hunting campaign, which targeted 15 protoplanetary discs with deep, high spatial and spectral resolution line observations. I will also discuss the implications for planet formation pathways and share our new kinematic view of the physical processes at play during planet formation.