Planetary Formation
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Hubble Telescope Finds Unexpectedly Hot Accretion Disk in FU Orionis
Hubble Space Telescope’s recent observations of FU Orionis have revealed surprising new details about the star’s accretion disk. The study found that the disk’s inner edge reaches temperatures as high as 16,000K, nearly three times hotter than the Sun’s surface. This discovery challenges existing models of stellar accretion, which had predi...
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Mars’ Moons Phobos and Deimos Could Be Asteroid Debris, New Study Reveals
New research proposes that Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, could have originated from an asteroid torn apart by the planet’s gravity. Simulations show that this shredded asteroid could have formed a ring around Mars, eventually coalescing into the moons. The theory is being tested through the upcoming Mars Moons Exploration mission, which could...
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Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors: What Makes Each Celestial Object Unique
NASA planetary scientists explain that asteroids, comets, and meteors all orbit the Sun but differ greatly in their composition, appearance, and behaviour. These objects play unique roles in understanding the solar system’s formation and evolution.
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NASA’s Juno Probe Captures Stunning Views of Jupiter’s Storms and Moon Amalthea
NASA’s Juno probe captured vibrant, high-contrast images of Jupiter’s stormy atmosphere and an up-close view of its moon, Amalthea, during the spacecraft’s 66th flyby on October 23. The images were processed by citizen scientists, enhancing the colours to showcase Jupiter’s unique cloud formations and highlighting details of Amalthea agains...
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Chinese Rover Uncovers Evidence Supporting Theory of a Vast Ancient Ocean on Mars
China’s Zhurong rover has discovered formations on Mars that could signal the remnants of a once vast ocean. Landing in the Utopia Planitia region, the rover identified formations commonly linked to past water presence, supporting the theory that Mars was once home to a massive body of water. While the findings do not offer definitive proof, they...
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Indian Scientists Discover A Massive Exoplanet That is Five Times Larger Than Earth
Indian scientists have identified a new exoplanet named TOI-6651b, which is five times larger than Earth and has a mass around 60 times greater. Located in the Neptunian desert, it orbits a Sun-like star every 5.06 days. The planet's composition suggests unique evolutionary processes, providing valuable insights into how such dense exoplanets form ...
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NASA Selects Two Astrophysics Mission Proposals for X-Ray and Far-Infrared Wavelength Observations
NASA has selected two mission proposals for further study, focusing on X-ray and far-infrared wavelengths to explore key cosmic phenomena. The Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite, led by Christopher Reynolds, will investigate supermassive black holes and galaxy evolution. The Probe Far-Infrared Mission, led by Jason Glenn, will examine planetary forma...
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New Group of Distant Objects Suggests Our Solar System May Have a Second Kuiper Belt
Astronomers have discovered 11 objects beyond the Kuiper Belt, suggesting the existence of a second belt, dubbed "Kuiper Belt 2." Located between 70 and 90 AU from the sun, this new region could redefine our understanding of the solar system's size and structure. The discovery was made using the Subaru telescope in collaboration with NASA’s New H...
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James Webb Space Telescope Discoveries Challenge Theories About Asteroid Psyche’s Origin
Recent findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have introduced new uncertainties about asteroid 16 Psyche. Known for its high iron content, Psyche was previously considered a potential remnant of a protoplanet, providing a valuable opportunity to study the early solar system. However, JWST has detected hydrated minerals on its surface, ...
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Ancient Space Rocks May Hold Clues To Earth's Formation, Says NASA
The image shows a canister, which is a gray metal cylinder. Inside, dark, powdery asteroid sample material can be seen.
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Planet Formation Theory Upset After New Study Of Mars Meteorite
The planetary formation theory that scientists have been referring to for decades seems to have been jeopardised by a recent study regarding an old meteorite. The theory explained how rocky planets like Earth and Mars acquire volatile material.
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Can Dying Stars Give Birth to New Planets? Here’s What Scientists Have to Say
Scientists now say it is not necessarily the only possibility. They say planets can form even if a star is nearing its death, long after the star was formed. Dying stars leading to the formation of planets is a completely new theory. If confirmed, this finding can change how we understand the functions of the universe and planetary evolution.
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NASA Releases Stunning New Moon Map to Help Future Missions
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has released a comprehensive new map of the Moon in partnership with NASA and the Lunar Planetary Institute.
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Indian Scientists Discover Sub-Saturn Size Planet
This discovery is very important for understanding the formation mechanism of such super-Neptune or sub-Saturn kind of planets.
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Collision With Moon-Sized Body Likely Delivered Gold To Earth, Says Study
A large Moon-sized planetary body penetrated all the way down to the Earth's core during the early days of our home planet's formation, delivering in the process precious metals such as gold and platinum, suggests a new study.
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Hubble Telescope Finds Unexpectedly Hot Accretion Disk in FU Orionis
Hubble Space Telescope’s recent observations of FU Orionis have revealed surprising new details about the star’s accretion disk. The study found that the disk’s inner edge reaches temperatures as high as 16,000K, nearly three times hotter than the Sun’s surface. This discovery challenges existing models of stellar accretion, which had predi...
-
Mars’ Moons Phobos and Deimos Could Be Asteroid Debris, New Study Reveals
New research proposes that Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, could have originated from an asteroid torn apart by the planet’s gravity. Simulations show that this shredded asteroid could have formed a ring around Mars, eventually coalescing into the moons. The theory is being tested through the upcoming Mars Moons Exploration mission, which could...
-
Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors: What Makes Each Celestial Object Unique
NASA planetary scientists explain that asteroids, comets, and meteors all orbit the Sun but differ greatly in their composition, appearance, and behaviour. These objects play unique roles in understanding the solar system’s formation and evolution.
-
NASA’s Juno Probe Captures Stunning Views of Jupiter’s Storms and Moon Amalthea
NASA’s Juno probe captured vibrant, high-contrast images of Jupiter’s stormy atmosphere and an up-close view of its moon, Amalthea, during the spacecraft’s 66th flyby on October 23. The images were processed by citizen scientists, enhancing the colours to showcase Jupiter’s unique cloud formations and highlighting details of Amalthea agains...
-
Chinese Rover Uncovers Evidence Supporting Theory of a Vast Ancient Ocean on Mars
China’s Zhurong rover has discovered formations on Mars that could signal the remnants of a once vast ocean. Landing in the Utopia Planitia region, the rover identified formations commonly linked to past water presence, supporting the theory that Mars was once home to a massive body of water. While the findings do not offer definitive proof, they...
-
Indian Scientists Discover A Massive Exoplanet That is Five Times Larger Than Earth
Indian scientists have identified a new exoplanet named TOI-6651b, which is five times larger than Earth and has a mass around 60 times greater. Located in the Neptunian desert, it orbits a Sun-like star every 5.06 days. The planet's composition suggests unique evolutionary processes, providing valuable insights into how such dense exoplanets form ...
-
NASA Selects Two Astrophysics Mission Proposals for X-Ray and Far-Infrared Wavelength Observations
NASA has selected two mission proposals for further study, focusing on X-ray and far-infrared wavelengths to explore key cosmic phenomena. The Advanced X-ray Imaging Satellite, led by Christopher Reynolds, will investigate supermassive black holes and galaxy evolution. The Probe Far-Infrared Mission, led by Jason Glenn, will examine planetary forma...
-
New Group of Distant Objects Suggests Our Solar System May Have a Second Kuiper Belt
Astronomers have discovered 11 objects beyond the Kuiper Belt, suggesting the existence of a second belt, dubbed "Kuiper Belt 2." Located between 70 and 90 AU from the sun, this new region could redefine our understanding of the solar system's size and structure. The discovery was made using the Subaru telescope in collaboration with NASA’s New H...
-
James Webb Space Telescope Discoveries Challenge Theories About Asteroid Psyche’s Origin
Recent findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have introduced new uncertainties about asteroid 16 Psyche. Known for its high iron content, Psyche was previously considered a potential remnant of a protoplanet, providing a valuable opportunity to study the early solar system. However, JWST has detected hydrated minerals on its surface, ...
-
Ancient Space Rocks May Hold Clues To Earth's Formation, Says NASA
The image shows a canister, which is a gray metal cylinder. Inside, dark, powdery asteroid sample material can be seen.
-
Planet Formation Theory Upset After New Study Of Mars Meteorite
The planetary formation theory that scientists have been referring to for decades seems to have been jeopardised by a recent study regarding an old meteorite. The theory explained how rocky planets like Earth and Mars acquire volatile material.
-
Can Dying Stars Give Birth to New Planets? Here’s What Scientists Have to Say
Scientists now say it is not necessarily the only possibility. They say planets can form even if a star is nearing its death, long after the star was formed. Dying stars leading to the formation of planets is a completely new theory. If confirmed, this finding can change how we understand the functions of the universe and planetary evolution.
-
NASA Releases Stunning New Moon Map to Help Future Missions
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has released a comprehensive new map of the Moon in partnership with NASA and the Lunar Planetary Institute.
-
Indian Scientists Discover Sub-Saturn Size Planet
This discovery is very important for understanding the formation mechanism of such super-Neptune or sub-Saturn kind of planets.
-
Collision With Moon-Sized Body Likely Delivered Gold To Earth, Says Study
A large Moon-sized planetary body penetrated all the way down to the Earth's core during the early days of our home planet's formation, delivering in the process precious metals such as gold and platinum, suggests a new study.
