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.
Stealing from the Solar System: the Effects of a Stellar Fly-By
Steep density drop-offs and orbits with high inclinations and eccentricities are just a few of the mysterious features in the outer reaches of our Solar System – can a single stellar fly-by help explain all of them?
Have we been hit by a supernova?
Today’s paper describes models of what a nearby supernova would do to a young planetary system, and looks at whether the same may have happened to our own solar system.
The Planets in the Gaps
We’ve strongly suspected they’re there. A new method promises to prove it.
A Pebbly Barrier to Planet Formation
While a planet is forming, its passage through the protoplanetary disk can prevent pebbles from migrating inwards and accreting onto the planet.
Imaged Companion Drives Spiral Arms in Disk
Using 14 years of high resolution near-infrared imaging, radio observations of molecular gas, and a hydrodynamic simulation the authors show that spiral arms seen in the protoplanetary disk around HD 100453 A are caused by its M-dwarf companion.