A plausible explanation for the absence of primordial argon, krypton, and xenon in Titan’s current atmosphere is that these gases were sequestered in clathrate hydrates during Titan’s “open-ocean” phase.
The origin of observed planetary systems, including our solar system, as well as their diversity is still an open question.
Recent JWST observations of the Fomalhaut debris disk have revealed a significant abundance of dust interior to the outer planetesimal belt, raising questions about its origin and maintenance.
A new study by Rice University researchers Sho Shibata and Andre Izidoro presents a compelling new model for the formation of super-Earths and mini-Neptunes — planets that are 1 to […]
The first discovered interstellar small object, `Oumuamua (1I/2017 U1), presents unique physical properties of extremely elongated geometric shape and dual characteristics of an asteroid and a comet.
Comets, asteroids, and other small bodies are thought to be remnants of the original planetesimal population of the Solar System. As such, their physical, chemical, and isotopic properties hold crucial […]
New studies led by researchers at the University of Central Florida offer for the first time a clearer picture of how the outer solar system formed and evolved based on […]
Small bodies are capable of delivering essential prerequisites for the development of life, such as volatiles and organics, to the terrestrial planets. For example, empirical evidence suggests that water was […]
The theory of pebble accretion (PA) has become a popular planet formation theory during the past decade. However, PA studies generally rely on large planetary embryos, much larger than those […]
The motion of planetesimals was studied in the Proxima Centauri and TRAPPIST 1 exoplanetary systems.
