Circumstellar Disks in pre-Main Sequence Stars

This review covers the properties of disks around pre-main–sequence stars. It is at this time in the evolution that planets form, and it is important to understand the properties of these disks to understand planet formation. I discuss disk shapes, masses and temperatures, the properties of the host stars, disk lifetimes and dissipation processes. Finally, evidence of grain growth during pre-main-sequence evolution is briefly summarized.