 |
|
Astronomers find stellar cradle where planets form
November 30, 2007Astronomers at the University of Illinois have found the first clear evidence for a cradle in space where planets and moons form. The cradle, revealed in photographs taken with NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, consists of a flattened envelope of gas and dust surrounding a young protostar.
"We are seeing this object in the early stages of stellar birth," said U. of I. astronomy professor Leslie Looney, the lead author of a paper accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters. "Eventually, the protostar will form into a star much like our sun, and the disk will form into planets and moons."
Located about 800 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, the object is obscured by dust and therefore invisible to the eye. However, the Spitzer Space Telescope's sensitive infrared camera can penetrate the dust, and reveal the structures within.
The brightest structure consists of an enormous, almost linear flow of shocked molecular hydrogen gas erupting from the protostar's two magnetic poles. These bipolar jets are so long, light would take about 1 1/2 years to travel from one end to the other.
In star-formation theory, a cloud of gas and dust collapses to form a star and its planets. As the cloud collapses, it begins to rotate faster and faster, like a pirouetting ice skater pulling in her arms. The force of the growing magnetic field ejects some of the gas and dust along the magnetic axis, forming the bipolar jets seen in the photograph.
"If material was not shed in this fashion, the protostar's spin would speed up so fast it would break apart," Looney said.
The planet-forming region is perpendicular to, and roughly centered on the polar jets. There, seen in silhouette against a bright background of galactic infrared emission, is the flattened disk of a circumstellar envelope.
Theorized, but never before seen, the flattened disk is an expected outcome for cloud-collapse theories that include magnetic fields or rotation.
"Some theories had predicted that envelopes flatten as they collapse onto their stars and surrounding planet-forming disks," Looney said, "but we hadn't seen any strong evidence of this until now."
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The brightest structure consists of an enormous, almost linear flow of shocked molecular hydrogen gas erupting from the protostar's two magnetic poles. These bipolar jets are so long, light would take about 1 1/2 years to travel from one end to the other.
In star-formation theory, a cloud of gas and dust collapses to form a star and its planets. As the cloud collapses, it begins to rotate faster and faster, like a pirouetting ice skater pulling in her arms. The force of the growing magnetic field ejects some of the gas and dust along the magnetic axis, forming the bipolar jets seen in the photograph.
"If material was not shed in this fashion, the protostar's spin would speed up so fast it would break apart," Looney said.
The planet-forming region is perpendicular to, and roughly centered on the polar jets. There, seen in silhouette against a bright background of galactic infrared emission, is the flattened disk of a circumstellar envelope.
Theorized, but never before seen, the flattened disk is an expected outcome for cloud-collapse theories that include magnetic fields or rotation.
"Some theories had predicted that envelopes flatten as they collapse onto their stars and surrounding planet-forming disks," Looney said, "but we hadn't seen any strong evidence of this until now."
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Planet Current Events and Planet News RSSNew Method to Measure Snow, Soil Moisture With GPS May Benefit Meteorologists, Farmers
A research team led by the University of Colorado at Boulder has found a clever way to use traditional GPS satellite signals to measure snow depth as well as soil and vegetation moisture, a technique expected to benefit meteorologists, water resource managers, climate modelers and farmers.
It's a gas: New discovery may lead to heartier, high-yielding plants
In a research report published in the November 2009 issue of the journal GENETICS, scientists show how a family of genes (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase, or ACS genes) are responsible for production of ethylene.
Rosetta bound for outer Solar System after final Earth swingby
This morning, mission controllers confirmed that ESA's comet chaser Rosetta had swung by Earth at 8:45 CET as planned, skimming past our planet to pick up a gravitational boost for an epic journey to rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014.
TEEB report released on the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity for policy makers
Policy makers who factor the planet's multi-trillion dollar ecosystem services into their national and international investment strategies are likely to see far higher rates of return and stronger economic growth in the 21st century.
Sponges recycle carbon to give life to coral reefs
Coral reefs support some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, yet they thrive in a marine desert. So how do reefs sustain their thriving populations?
California's Ancient Kelp Forest
The kelp forests off southern California are considered to be some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet, yet a new study indicates that today's kelp beds are less extensive and lush than those in the recent past.
Exoplanets clue to sun's curious chemistry
"For almost 10 years we have tried to find out what distinguishes stars with planetary systems from their barren cousins," says Garik Israelian, lead author of a paper appearing this week in the journal Nature. "We have now found that the amount of lithium in Sun-like stars depends on whether or not they have planets."
Early life on Earth may have developed more quickly than thought
The Earth's climate was far cooler - perhaps more than 50 degrees - billions of years ago, which could mean conditions for life all over the planet were more conducive than previously believed, according to a research team that includes a Texas A&M University expert who specializes in geobiology.
A Lightning Strike in Africa Helps Take the Pulse of the Sun
Sunspots, which rotate around the sun's surface, tell us a great deal about our own planet. Scientists rely on them, for instance, to measure the sun's rotation or to prepare long-range forecasts of the Earth's health.
Sweet as can be: how E. coli gets ahead
Scientists at the University of York have discovered how certain bacteria such as Escherichia coli have evolved to capture rare sugars from their environment giving them an evolutionary advantage in naturally competitive environments like the human gut.
More Planet Current Events and Planet News Articles
 |
3-D Planets in a Tube by University Games Give your solar scene new dimension! This set features the eight planets of our solar system packaged in a handy reusable tube. All of these colorful, glow-in-the-dark orbs are ready to give your room a big bang. String them to your ceiling and learn more about the worlds beyond our own. Comes with eight glowing planets, 25 feet of string and adhesive putty. |
 |
The Planets in Our Solar System (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2) by Franklyn M. Branley (Author), Kevin O'malley (Illustrator) You live on Earth, so you already know a lot about it. But do you know about its place in out solar system? For instance, it's not the largest planet. If Jupiter were a hallow ball, 1,000 Earths would fit inside it. And did you know our planet Earth takes 365 days to go around the sun, while the planet Pluto takes 248 years? This simple text by Franklyn M. Branely introduces the nine planets in our solar system and is complemented by Kevin O'Malley's full-color illustrations, which incorporate some of the newest space photographs available. How hot is it on Venus? Which planet takes longest to orbit the sun? Find out the answers in this updated version of this popular text. Kevin OMalleys often humorous illustrations depict a group of children and an astronomer as they learn all about... |
 |
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series Starring: David Attenborough With an unprecedented production budget of $25 million, and from the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth's most extreme habitats. Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never... |
 |
Moon In My Room by Uncle Milton What's different about the moon tonight? It's inside your room! Authentically detailed, Moon In My Room hangs on your wall and shines moonlight just like the real moon. Twelve different phase settings let you match what the real moon looks like outside tonight! |
 |
11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System by David A. Aguilar (Author) National Geographic proudly presents the essential reference book for what is now officially a NEW AGE in space. In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union redefined the word "planet" and relegated Pluto to the status of a dwarf planet, along with Ceres and Eris. Naturally, National Geographic is there to map out this new view of our solar system. In 11 Planets, David Aguilar, an expert who works on the leading edge of this astounding shift, explains and explores our new galactic knowledge. Using spectacular computer artwork, exclusive to National Geographic, and simple engaging text, this colorful book profiles all 11 planets in our newly categorized solar system: terrestrial Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars; gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune; and... |
 |
Melissa & Doug Solar System 48pc Floor by Melissa and Doug Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle (48pc) Jigsaw puzzles stimulate eye movement, hand/eye coordination, and matching skills, which help prepare children for reading. The Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle provides out-of-this-world learning for your little one. Measuring at 24" x 36", the jumbo puzzle is great for little hands and growing minds. Our entire solar system is colorfully portrayed, and each planet is labeled for your child to identify. The puzzle is made of extra-thick cardboard and built to last! Order the Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle (48pc) today! |
 |
Planet Earth: As You've Never Seen It Before by Alastair Fothergill (Author), David Attenborough (Foreword) A visual odyssey that will change the way we see our planet, this remarkable book, companion to the acclaimed Discovery Channel/ BBC series, is an enduring and awe-inspiring record of one of the most ambitious natural history projects ever undertaken. Using the latest aerial surveillance, state-of-the-art cameras, and high definition technology, the creators of Planet Earth have assembled more than 400 stunning photographs of wondrous natural landscapes from around the globe, including incredible footage of the rarely spotted, almost mythical creatures that live in these habitats. Many of the images reveal inaccessible places that few have seen and record animal behavior that has never been filmed or photographed before. With the help of this highly advanced technology and the world's... |
 |
My Fantastic Field Trip to the Planets Blast off with Jake on a live-action, musical, outer space adventure featuring ten original songs! Traveling inside his toy rocket, Jake's survival depends on the help of nine friendly planets, who magically talk and sing. Will Jake make it through the dangerous asteroid belt? Can he get back home before his mother discovers that he is gone? Songs combine fun lyrics about the planets with memorable melodies for one big whopping, planet-hopping experience that's out of this world! |
![Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vOcFKASRL._SL160_.jpg) |
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray] Starring: David Attenborough With an unprecedented production budget of $25 million, and from the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth's most extreme habitats. Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never... |
 |
Learning Resources Inflatable Solar System Set by Learning Resources Explore your universe with this inflatable classroom set. Teach size and distance relationships of the planets, the moon and the sun. Learn rotation, revolution and orbit through class activities or demonstrations using this realistic looking set. Includes 36-inch Sun, plus planets and moon in proportionate sizes from 8 inches to 22 inches. Also includes a foot pump, Teacher's Activity Guide and hooks for easy hanging. Deflates easily for storage. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |