Interplanetary collisions can explain a number of phenomena in our own solar system — here’s evidence of such a crash shaping the formation of two distant planets. Translate from an Astrobitos bite by Elena Gonzales Egea.
To understand planet formation, we need to observe newborn planets that are in their earlier stages of development. This is exactly what was discovered around PDS 70 – the first young, forming planet around a protostar of this age. Read more to learn about what we saw, and how we got that data!
Neighboring exoplanets appear to come in similar sizes. But is this a result of observational bias?
Interesting things are happening around the beloved Beta Pic. Bands of unexpected gas may be due to cometary collisions – but are these potential comets similar to our own?
The key to understanding how these worlds are built is to consider where they are missing.
All things – from planets to needle-shaped rocks – in motion around their star (or other stars!) are narrating an interesting story about their history. Are we listening? Come attend Dr. Greg Laughlin’s plenary lecture at #AAS233 to know more!