RM
Planets forming around a star
Planets forming around a star. Computer illustration of an inner and outer ring of dust and gas surrounding a young star (bright, centre) with planets orbiting it. This one-million-year-old system called UK Tau A, lies around 450 light-years from Earth. New observations using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope show a gap between the small inner disc and larger outer disc. It is thought that this gap is caused by young planets that may be developing between the two discs. The young star is pulling in material from the inner disk of dust and gas. It is thought that the developing planets prevent material from the outer disc from naturally falling in toward the star, thereby creating the gap.
More
Top Categories