Stunning new images from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope showcase two young stars, Tau 042021 (left) and Oph-163131 (right), encircled by planet-forming disks. This unique perspective provides invaluable insights into the formation of worlds similar to ours.
Composite images of protoplanetary disks Tau 042021 (left) and Oph 163131 (right). Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Webb / Hubble / ALMA / ESO / NAOJ / NRAO / G. Duchêne / M. Villenave.
“Protoplanetary disks emerge around newly formed stars,” stated Webb astronomers.
“As gas clumps collapse within larger molecular clouds, a thick disk of unused gas and dust orbits the newborn star.”
“This dust gradually collides and coalesces, forming planetesimals that can develop into planets over time.”
“Some planetesimals that don’t evolve into full-fledged planets remain as asteroids or comets orbiting the star.”
“Gas not consumed in this process will eventually be expelled by the star’s radiation over millions of years, leading to the disappearance of the protoplanetary disk.”
“This phenomenon explains how our solar system formed, shaping the asteroids, comets, gas giants, and terrestrial planets we recognize today.”
By studying other protoplanetary disks from earlier epochs, we can enhance our understanding of how solar system formation occurs and how various planets throughout the galaxy came into being.
The captivating images of protoplanetary disks Tau 042021 and Oph 163131—designated as 2MASS J04202144+2813491 and 2MASS J16313124-2426281—were captured using Webb’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments.
Tau 042021 lies approximately 450 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, while Oph 163131 is about 480 light-years distant in the constellation Ophiuchus.
“What distinguishes these objects is the orientation of their disks towards Webb’s perspective,” the astronomers explained.
“This alignment blocks most of the bright light from the central young star, allowing the fine dust in the disk to be illuminated by reflected starlight, creating a nebula above and below the disk.”
“The resulting images resemble colorful floating tops in space, providing not only a breathtaking view but also critical data for understanding the organization of planet-forming disks.”
“The dust distribution within and surrounding the disk profoundly influences how and where planets form.”
Source: www.sci.news
