Space telescopes spy forming solar systems
Posted: Mon, Dec 13, 2004, 7:36 AM ET (1236 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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, January 5
Kogod students pioneer branding potential of International Space Station
American Univ. — 7:53 pm ET (0053 GMT) UA-developed Hubble Camera Helps Capture New View of Galactic Core
Univ. of Arizona — 7:52 pm ET (0052 GMT) L.A.-spawned spaceflight saga is launched in Portland
Los Angeles Times — 7:49 pm ET (0049 GMT) Latest Astronomy Conference Update: Closest Stars
NASA/JPL — 7:48 pm ET (0048 GMT) Dead Stars Tell Story of Planet Birth
NASA/JPL — 7:48 pm ET (0048 GMT) |