Birth of a solar system caught 'on camera' for first time
10 months ago
- #astronomy
- #James-Webb-Telescope
- #planet-formation
- Astronomers discovered a young solar system, HOPS-315, in its early planet-forming stage.
- The system, located 420 parsecs from Earth in the Orion constellation, provides insights into the formation of our own Solar System.
- Crystalline silicate minerals around HOPS-315 indicate early planet formation.
- The protostar's orientation allowed a rare clear view of its surrounding disk of gas and dust.
- The James Webb Space Telescope detected warm silicon monoxide (SiO) in the disk for the first time.
- Observations suggest the star's ultra-hot midsection vaporized surrounding rock, which then cooled and condensed into planet-forming minerals.