The four-population model: a new classification scheme for pre-planetesimal collisions

Context.Within the collision growth scenario for planetesimal formation, the growth step from centimetre-sized pre-planetesimals to kilometre-sized planetesimals remains unclear. The formation of larger objects from the highly porous pre-planetesimals may be halted by a combination of fragmentation in disruptive collisions and mutual rebound with compaction. However, the right amount of fragmentation is necessary to explain the observed dust features in late T Tauri discs. Therefore, detailed data on the outcome of pre-planetesimal collisions is required and has to be presented in a suitable and precise format.