Space telescopes spy forming solar systems
Posted: Mon, Dec 13, 2004, 8:36 AM ET (1336 GMT)
Images from two NASA space telescopes have allowed astronomers to observe some of the "missing links" in the formation of solar systems. Images from Hubble, released last week, show a bright dust disk surrounding HD 107146, a Sun-like star 50-250 million years old. At that age gas giants should have formed from the protoplanetary disk, but smaller terrestrial planets may still be in the process of formation. Meanwhile, the Spitzer Space Telescope has spotted remnant dust disks surrounding older stars around which extrasolar planets have previously been discovered. The discoveries, scientists said, allow them to better understand the process by which planets form from dust disks like these.
Images from two NASA space telescopes have allowed astronomers to observe some of the "missing links" in the formation of solar systems. Images from Hubble, released last week, show a bright dust disk surrounding HD 107146, a Sun-like star 50-250 million years old. At that age gas giants should have formed from the protoplanetary disk, but smaller terrestrial planets may still be in the process of formation. Meanwhile, the Spitzer Space Telescope has spotted remnant dust disks surrounding older stars around which extrasolar planets have previously been discovered. The discoveries, scientists said, allow them to better understand the process by which planets form from dust disks like these.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, November 19
Blue Origin set to launch next human flight on Friday from site near Van Horn
KTSM-TV El Paso — 1:21 am ET (0621 GMT) Europe's rival to Musk's SpaceX raises millions in new funding
EuroNews — 1:21 am ET (0621 GMT) Accused of violating worker rights, SpaceX and Amazon go after labor board
NPR — 1:19 am ET (0619 GMT) SpaceX president predicts rapid increase in Starship launch rate
Ars Technica — 1:19 am ET (0619 GMT) The one agency that might have the muscle to oppose Elon Musk [the FAA]
POLITICO — 1:18 am ET (0618 GMT) |
