Dust traps may explain planet formation
Posted: Fri, Jun 7, 2013, 8:18 AM ET (1218 GMT)
Observations of a protoplanetary disk around a star have given astronomers evidence to support models for the formation of planets. In a paper in this week's issue of the journal Science, astronomers reported the discovery of a lopsided bulge in the outer disk surrounding the star IRS 48, about 390 light-years away, in observations by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). That bulge, astronomers believe, is a "dust trap" formed by vortices in the star's dust disk created by a gas giant planet. Astronomers have previously hypothesized that such dust traps were needed to allow the formation of planets without collisions or inward migration towards the star that would stifle their growth.
Observations of a protoplanetary disk around a star have given astronomers evidence to support models for the formation of planets. In a paper in this week's issue of the journal Science, astronomers reported the discovery of a lopsided bulge in the outer disk surrounding the star IRS 48, about 390 light-years away, in observations by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). That bulge, astronomers believe, is a "dust trap" formed by vortices in the star's dust disk created by a gas giant planet. Astronomers have previously hypothesized that such dust traps were needed to allow the formation of planets without collisions or inward migration towards the star that would stifle their growth.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Space Force releases guidelines on commercial use of launch sites
Posted: Sun, Jul 20 9:51 AM ET (1351 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 26
Vega C Successfully Puts In Orbit CO3D And MicroCarb Satellites
Avio — 11:01 am ET (1501 GMT) Airbus-built CO3D constellation successfully launched to map our planet in 3D
Airbus Group — 10:54 am ET (1454 GMT) MicroCarb: Europe’s first mission to monitor and map atmospheric carbon dioxide successfully launched
Thales Alenia Space — 10:53 am ET (1453 GMT) Thales Alenia Space signs a contract with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to develop the first human outpost on the lunar surface
Thales Alenia Space — 10:53 am ET (1453 GMT) GovSat orders a defence telecommunications satellite from Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space — 10:53 am ET (1453 GMT) |
