planet formation Archives

Schematic illustrating transport mechanisms of volatiles that produce the C/H enhancement seen within the CO snowline in HD 163296 as observed by Zhang et al. (2020). The process begins in the outer disc with dust growing to pebbles as the CO and water vapour freeze out onto the pebbles. As the grains grow, they decouple from the gas and drift inwards towards the CO snowline; within the snowline, the CO sublimates and enhances the C/H ratio of the gas and vapour present; the CO vapour is transported to the upper layers of the disc via diffusion. It also advects inwards, indicated by the grey arrows. Water ice remains on the pebbles and is transported further inward as the pebbles continue to drift toward the water snowline, which is around 1 AU in our model in this paper. Here, water sublimates and becomes readily available for planet formation in the region where terrestrial planets may be forming. Note that the illustrated emission line probe region is specific to CO rotational lines in this context. This schematic was inspired by Fig. 2 of Cuzzi & Zahnle (2004). -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

The CO-Fuelled Time Machine: Tracing Birth Conditions and Terrestrial Planet Formation Outcomes in HD 163296 through Pebble Drift-induced CO Enhancements

by Keith CowingJanuary 11, 2025January 11, 2025

The architecture and composition of planetary systems are thought to be strongly influenced by the transport and delivery of dust and volatiles via ices on pebbles during the planet formation […]

Two-dimensional temperature map of the disk after 300 kyr of evolution, showing the methanol iceline at t = 0 (dashed blue line) and at t = 300 kyr (solid blue line). The white curve represents the average trajectory of 500 simulated particles. To provide a clearer illustration of individual particle behavior, the insets on the right display the trajectory of a single particle within the disk. The panels illustrate the trajectories of particles with sizes of 1 cm, 100 µm, and 1 µm, released at disk temperatures of 20 K (panels a, b, and c) and 80 K (panels d, e, and f). Initial and final positions are marked by a green triangle and a green cross, respectively. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report

Journey of Complex Organic Molecules: Formation and Transport in Protoplanetary Disks

by Keith CowingDecember 13, 2024December 13, 2024

Complex organic molecules serve as indicators of molecular diversity. Their detection on comets, planets, and moons has prompted inquiries into their origins, particularly the conditions conducive to their formation.

In this artist’s concept, the young star SZ Chamaeleontis (SZ Cha) is surrounded by a disk of dust and gas with the potential to form a planetary system. But the star emits radiation that is evaporating the disk, leaving the potential planets in a race against time to form before the disk is evaporated completely. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release

Neon Readings By Webb Prompt New Thinking About Planet Formation

by Keith CowingNovember 15, 2023November 15, 2023

Observations by the MIRI instrument on NASA’s Webb telescope are providing new clues about the time window when planets can form around a young star.

Artist’s Concept: This artist’s concept shows a planet-forming disk around newborn, Sun-like stars

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release

Webb Findings Support A Long-proposed Process Of Planet Formation

by Keith CowingNovember 8, 2023November 8, 2023

Scientists using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope just made a breakthrough discovery in revealing how planets are made. By observing water vapor in protoplanetary disks, Webb confirmed a physical process […]

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release

Shift to Ultraviolet-driven Chemistry In Planet-forming Disks Marks The Beginning Of Late-stage Planet Formation

by Keith CowingJanuary 10, 2023January 10, 2023

The chemistry of planet formation has fascinated researchers for decades because the chemical reservoir in protoplanetary discs—the dust and gas from which planets form—directly impacts planet composition and potential for […]

planet formation

The CO-Fuelled Time Machine: Tracing Birth Conditions and Terrestrial Planet Formation Outcomes in HD 163296 through Pebble Drift-induced CO Enhancements

Journey of Complex Organic Molecules: Formation and Transport in Protoplanetary Disks

Neon Readings By Webb Prompt New Thinking About Planet Formation

Webb Findings Support A Long-proposed Process Of Planet Formation

Shift to Ultraviolet-driven Chemistry In Planet-forming Disks Marks The Beginning Of Late-stage Planet Formation

Planetesimal Formation Across the Stellar Mass Spectrum and its Influence on Exoplanet-Inherited Volatile Budgets

Astronaut Training For Underground Science Expeditions

Achieving Efficient Broadband Spatial Filtering For LIFE: Status And Plan

A Comprehensive Study Of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko In The 2021/2022 Apparition. II. Colorimetry, Polarimetry, Modeling

Mars Express And Psyche Same Day Imagery of Mars