Spitzer spies potential newborn planet
Posted: Fri, May 28, 2004, 10:35 AM ET (1435 GMT)
Images from the Spitzer Space Telescope have turned up evidence of what may be a newborn planet forming around a young star. Images of the star CoKu Tau 4m only about one million years old, revealed a gap in the star's protoplanetary disk. That gap could be created by a planet forming in the disk and clearing out the material in and near its orbit. The studies are part of a survey of over 300 young stars in a stellar nursery called RCW 49, 13,700 light-years away; astronomers believe that all the stars there have protoplanetary disks of some kind. Other observations by Spitzer of nearby stars found what astronomers called the "raw ingredients" for life ™ water, carbon dioxide, and methane ™ in the icy dust particles in the disk.
Images from the Spitzer Space Telescope have turned up evidence of what may be a newborn planet forming around a young star. Images of the star CoKu Tau 4m only about one million years old, revealed a gap in the star's protoplanetary disk. That gap could be created by a planet forming in the disk and clearing out the material in and near its orbit. The studies are part of a survey of over 300 young stars in a stellar nursery called RCW 49, 13,700 light-years away; astronomers believe that all the stars there have protoplanetary disks of some kind. Other observations by Spitzer of nearby stars found what astronomers called the "raw ingredients" for life ™ water, carbon dioxide, and methane ™ in the icy dust particles in the disk.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, October 29
Rocket Lab CEO reviews successes as company turns 20
Newstalk ZB (New Zealand) — 5:23 am ET (0923 GMT) Starlink marks 5-year anniversary. What to know about Elon Musk's internet business
USA Today — 5:22 am ET (0922 GMT) SpaceX to launch another batch of Starlink satellites from Florida
WKMG-TV — 5:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Good weather ahead for Starlink launch
Spectrum News — 5:12 am ET (0912 GMT) Debrief: SpaceX Falcon 9 To Land With Manufacturing Pod Inside
Aviation Week — 5:12 am ET (0912 GMT) |
