Cosmic Baby Photo: Scientists Catch Rare First Glimpse Of Planets Being Born Around A Sun
An unprecedented achievement has been made in the field of space science. For the first time, scientists have observed the earliest stages of planet formation around a newborn star similar to our Sun. This remarkable discovery was made by an international team of scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the ALMA telescope.
The young star, named HOPS-315, is located approximately 1,300 light-years away from Earth. It is classified as a protostar, a star in the earliest phase of development. Surrounding HOPS-315 is a protoplanetary disc made of gas and dust, which serves as the birthplace of new planets.
First Signs of Planet Birth
Within this disc, scientists have detected the presence of hot mineral molecules that are beginning to solidify. These minerals eventually form planetesimals, small rock-like bodies that gradually combine to become planets.
Lead researcher Melissa McClure from Leiden University stated, 'This is the first time we've observed when and how planet formation begins. It offers a crucial insight into the origins of our own solar system."
Co-author Merel van 't Hoff from Purdue University described the discovery as 'a childhood photo of our solar system."
The key molecule identified was silicon monoxide (SiO), a mineral also found in the early rocks of Earth and other planets. These minerals, initially in gas form, are now crystallising, marking the first solid step in planet formation.
Striking Similarities With Our Solar System
What makes this even more intriguing is that the signals of silicon monoxide came from the same region of the disc where the asteroid belt exists in our own solar system. According to Logan Francis (Leiden University), 'We're seeing the same minerals in the same location as we do in our solar system. It's a fascinating parallel."
Why HOPS-315 Is So Special
The disc around HOPS-315 acts as a natural laboratory, helping us understand the early formation of solar systems. According to Elizabeth Humphreys of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), 'HOPS-315 provides a unique opportunity to study the cosmic history of our own solar system."
This discovery is not just a scientific milestone; it opens a window into how worlds like ours come into being.
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