How can planets be heavier than the disks that formed them?
Planets form from protoplanetary disks. How they can be heavier on average than the disks is questioning our theories of planet formation.
Pebbly Planets
According to one theory of planet formation, the secret to forming massive planets is through itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny pebbles of dust. In today’s astrobite, we explore what sort of planets these little pebbles could form.
Filling (Dust) Gaps in our Knowledge of Planet Formation
With the awesome power of ALMA, scientists have observed a variety of dust gaps in protoplanetary disks. In today’s astrobite, we explore how these gaps might be related to planet formation.
A very close planet that is way out of line
Transiting exoplanets generally orbit in the same plane, so how is this planet so misaligned in this multi-planet system?
The Planets in the Gaps
We’ve strongly suspected they’re there. A new method promises to prove it.
Basaltic asteroids might not all be from Vesta
Most basaltic asteroids are thought to originate from the dwarf planet Vesta. However, some of these asteroids are far from Vesta and exhibit different spectra, implying a second point of origin.