Planetary Formation
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JWST Discovers Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects in Orion Nebula, Offering New Clues
The James Webb Space Telescope has identified dozens of Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs) in the Orion Nebula. These enigmatic rogue gas giant pairs orbit each other at distances of 25 to 400 AU. Researchers propose they could be failed stars formed under extreme radiation conditions, ejected planetary systems, or a mix of both. Simulations repl...
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James Webb Space Telescope Reveals Unique Features of Westerlund 1 Star Cluster
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured groundbreaking images of Westerlund 1, a supermassive star cluster located 12,000 light-years away. The new findings offer a closer look at star formation processes, particularly the discovery of brown dwarfs, and highlight the role of energetic radiation in shaping planetary environments.
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Himalayas Mountain Range Formation Could Have Destroyed 30 Percent of Continental Crust, Says Study
A study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters has found that up to 30% of Earth's continental crust may have been lost to the mantle during the formation of the Himalayas. Researchers from Monash University used a model to calculate crustal loss, revealing similar patterns in the European Alps and Zagros Mountains. The research highlight...
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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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JWST Discovers Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects in Orion Nebula, Offering New Clues
The James Webb Space Telescope has identified dozens of Jupiter-mass binary objects (JuMBOs) in the Orion Nebula. These enigmatic rogue gas giant pairs orbit each other at distances of 25 to 400 AU. Researchers propose they could be failed stars formed under extreme radiation conditions, ejected planetary systems, or a mix of both. Simulations repl...
-
James Webb Space Telescope Reveals Unique Features of Westerlund 1 Star Cluster
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured groundbreaking images of Westerlund 1, a supermassive star cluster located 12,000 light-years away. The new findings offer a closer look at star formation processes, particularly the discovery of brown dwarfs, and highlight the role of energetic radiation in shaping planetary environments.
-
Himalayas Mountain Range Formation Could Have Destroyed 30 Percent of Continental Crust, Says Study
A study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters has found that up to 30% of Earth's continental crust may have been lost to the mantle during the formation of the Himalayas. Researchers from Monash University used a model to calculate crustal loss, revealing similar patterns in the European Alps and Zagros Mountains. The research highlight...
-
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.
