Planet formation refers to the process by which planets develop from the dust and gas surrounding a young star. It typically occurs in a protoplanetary disk, which is a rotating disk of dense gas and dust left over from the formation of a star. Over millions of years, particles within the disk collide and stick together, forming larger and larger bodies through a process called accretion.
Initially, microscopic particles aggregate to form planetesimals, which are small celestial bodies. These planetesimals can collide and merge to form protoplanets, which are larger bodies that eventually clear their orbits of smaller debris. The specific processes involved in planet formation can vary widely and lead to the creation of different types of planets, such as terrestrial (rocky) planets or gas giants, depending on their distance from the star and the local material composition in the protoplanetary disk.
Overall, planet formation is a critical aspect of astrophysics and helps to explain the diverse array of planetary systems observed throughout the universe.
A team of astronomers led by Professor Paola Pinilla from University College London has recently completed an extensive survey of planet-forming discs, providing valuable new information on the complex process…
Planetary systems seem to have an abundance of rocky objects like asteroids and planets compared to gas-rich ones. However, scientists have long been puzzled by the fact that the initial…
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting water vapor in the disc surrounding a young star, precisely where planets are believed to be forming. This new finding has the…
Astronomers have made an astonishing discovery that could shed light on the process of planet formation. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, researchers have detected an abundance…