Astronomers have mapped out the chemicals inside planetary nurseries with unprecedented detail, revealing dozens of molecules within five protoplanetary disks. The locations of these molecules vary dramatically across each disk, resulting in diverse chemical environments that may impact planetary formation and potential for life.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateSep 15, 2021
Researchers analyzed deuterium abundance ratios in protoplanetary disks and found significant variations within a single disk, suggesting differences in chemical composition and physical state at formation sites. The study also reveals the presence of complex organic molecules, including nitriles, in planet-forming disks.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateSep 15, 2021
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Researchers found significant reservoirs of large organic molecules in protoplanetary disks, providing a potential pathway for life to form elsewhere. The presence of these molecules suggests basic chemical conditions that led to life on Earth could exist more widely across the Galaxy.
SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 15, 2021
A study using ALMA revealed that protoplanetary disks around five young stars are factories of organic molecules, including nitriles implicated in the origins of life. The discovery provides insights into planetary system formation and whether these systems have what it takes to host life.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateSep 15, 2021
Researchers have discovered a uniquely shaped hot spot on a baby star 450 million light-years away, providing new clues about the formation of our solar system. The discovery confirms accretion models and sheds light on how young stars grow.
A team from the University of Arizona recreated the history of a dust grain formed during the solar system's birth, providing insights into planetary system formation processes. The analysis revealed clues about the environmental conditions that shaped the grain's journey, contradicting current theories on protoplanetary disk physics.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Planetary Science Journal·DateJun 21, 2021
Ellen Price, a doctoral student at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, has been awarded the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship from the Heising-Simons Foundation. The fellowship will provide up to $375,000 in support for Price to conduct independent research in planetary astronomy over the next three years.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·DateMar 31, 2021
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
A team of scientists has discovered a planetary system with a backward-rotating star, K2-290, which exhibits stellar-planetary misalignment. The star's rotation is opposite to the planets' orbits, with a tilt of approximately 124° relative to their orbits.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 15, 2021
Researchers found that massive planets can wipe out spiral structures in young protoplanetary discs. This suggests that planets may form rapidly and early in the disc's lifecycle, requiring scientists to reassess formation times.
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 26, 2020
A new study of rare meteorites shows that material from close to the Sun reached the outer solar system even after Jupiter cleared a gap in the disk of dust and gas. This finding challenges the long-held consensus theory on planet formation and provides insights into how planets form around other stars.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 8, 2020
Researchers found a 10-μm silicate feature in large olivine particles, contradicting the Mie theory. The study's outcome sheds new light on comets and deep space, potentially affecting our understanding of cosmic dust particles.
SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalIcarus·DateJul 7, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
According to latest theories, planets could be formed even in harsh environments around a black hole, with tens of thousands of Earth-like planets possible within 10 light-years of a massive black hole. This finding opens up new possibilities for astronomy and challenges current understanding of planet formation.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019
Astronomers have discovered a rare form of carbon monoxide in the dust and gas disc around a young star, revealing it to be much heavier than previously thought. This finding provides new insights into the formation of planets and challenges existing theories about planetary system formation.
SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 12, 2019
A study led by CSIC reveals that carbonaceous chondrites transported hydrated minerals and organic material from the protoplanetary disk to Earth, enriching its water supply. The findings provide valuable insights into the accretion phases of early planetary bodies and the origin of water on our planet.
SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalSpace Science Reviews·DateFeb 14, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
A team of UNLV and international astronomers has conducted the first large-sample survey of protoplanetary disks using ALMA, yielding high-resolution images of 20 nearby disks. The results reveal a large population of young planets at wide-orbit similar to Neptune or Jupiter, which may be similar to our solar system
SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 12, 2018
Researchers have discovered that large planets form quickly and in the outer reaches of their solar systems, which could explain the formation of rocky Earth-size worlds. High-resolution images of 20 nearby protoplanetary disks show common substructures, including concentric gaps and narrow rings.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 12, 2018
A recent study found that 40% of protoplanetary disks surrounding young stars in the Taurus region have ring structures suggesting nascent planets. These findings coincide with exoplanet statistics, supporting the idea that super-Earths and Neptunes are the most common type of planets.
Researchers found formic acid in a protoplanetary disk surrounding the young star TW Hydra, suggesting rich organic chemistry existed before planet formation. This discovery implies that complex molecules were present in the solar nebula, which may have contributed to the emergence of life.
SourceUral Federal University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 14, 2018
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
Two independent teams of astronomers identified three young planets in orbit around an infant star, using a new technique that analyzed anomalies in gas flow. The planets are similar in mass to Jupiter and are thought to be among the youngest in our galaxy.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 13, 2018
Astronomers identify hydrogenated nanodiamonds as likely source of anomalous microwave emission (AME), a type of faint microwave light emanating from regions across the Milky Way. The discovery provides new insights into the formation of nanodiamonds in protoplanetary disks and has implications for cosmology research.
SourceGreen Bank Observatory·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 11, 2018
A team of researchers at Cardiff University has discovered that tiny crystals of carbon, nanodiamonds, are likely the source of a mysterious microwave glow emanating from star systems in the Milky Way. The discovery was made by studying infrared light from protoplanetary disks surrounding newly formed stars.
SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 11, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers at Niels Bohr Institute used computer simulations to study the influence of local environmental conditions on star formation. Their findings suggest that factors such as magnetic fields and turbulence play a crucial role in shaping the star formation process.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateSep 15, 2017
A team of UA astronomers proposes a scenario that reconciles observed disk features and the population of planets in our galaxy. They simulated protoplanetary disks using synthetic observations to account for the formation of multiple gaps, challenging conventional theories.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJul 10, 2017
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University studied Keplerian shear flow stability, predicting turbulent behavior at high Reynolds numbers. They employed a variational approach to model non-ionized matter flows.
SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 19, 2017
Researchers at Imperial College London found that a weak star's light can cause significant material loss from a protoplanetary disc. The study of the IM Lup system revealed that the disc will lose about 3,300 Earth's worth of material over its lifetime.
SourceImperial College London·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 22, 2017
Researchers observed a protostar and found that gas can shed angular momentum by being cast into the vertical direction, creating a 'traffic jam' near the centrifugal barrier. This behavior aligns with calculations using a ballistic model, shedding light on the dynamics of stellar formation.
SourceRIKEN·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 7, 2017
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Astronomers have found compelling evidence for the existence of two infant planets orbiting a young star called HD 163296. The planets are estimated to be around the same mass as Saturn and are situated in the disk's outer regions, suggesting they are not yet fully formed.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 12, 2016
Researchers have discovered complex systems of concentric rings surrounding young stars, formed by the interaction between protoplanetary discs and growing planets. These findings provide new insights into planet formation, shedding light on the dynamics of innermost disc regions.
SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateNov 9, 2016
Astronomers have observed a water 'snowline' in a protoplanetary disk using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope. The snowline marks the transition point where temperatures and pressures are low enough for water ice to form, and its distance from the star was found to be approximately 40 astronomical units.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateJul 13, 2016
Researchers used the light echo technique to measure the distance from a young star to the inner edge of its surrounding protoplanetary disk. The study found the inner edge to be relatively thick and determined a distance of approximately 0.08 astronomical units, consistent with theoretical expectations.
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Astronomers have captured the most detailed image yet of a protoplanetary disc around the young star TW Hydrae, revealing concentric dusty bright rings and dark gaps. The new ALMA images show intriguing features that may indicate a planet with an Earth-like orbit is forming in the disc.
SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 31, 2016
A new study suggests that disk gaps may be a cosmic illusion and not necessarily caused by hidden planets. The researchers used models to show that growth, migration, and destruction of small particles can create apparent gaps in the disk.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 2, 2015
Scientists discover complex organic molecules in a protoplanetary disk surrounding a young star, hinting at the universality of prebiotic chemistry. The presence of these molecules, particularly methyl cyanide, suggests that protoplanetary disks are efficient factories for forming complex organic compounds.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateApr 8, 2015
Astronomers using ALMA observed a binary star system with two protoplanetary discs, finding that the discs are mutually misaligned. The discs' misalignment suggests that planets forming in such systems can end up in highly eccentric and tilted orbits.
Astronomers discovered a young binary star system with wildly misaligned planet-forming disks, providing the clearest picture yet of protoplanetary disks around a double star. The system's unique configuration suggests that planets may be influenced by the gravitational pull of a second star, leading to unusual orbits.
SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalNature·DateJul 30, 2014
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
Researchers at UC Berkeley propose that 'zombie vortices' play a crucial role in the birth of new stars. The team's computer models show how variations in gas density lead to instability, resulting in whirlpool-like vortices that help the star form.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 20, 2013
Computer simulations reveal that giant gas planets prefer certain orbits over others, resulting in 'planet pile-ups' and 'planet deserts'. High-energy radiation from baby stars carves gaps in protoplanetary disks, corralling planets into specific orbits.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 19, 2012
Scientists have discovered that calcium, aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) formed far away from the sun and later fell back into the mid-plane of the solar system. The findings provide new insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system, suggesting turbulent conditions during its early stages.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMar 3, 2011
Two new observations reveal detailed structures in protoplanetary disks of two young stars, including a large gap similar to our solar system's. The images suggest the presence of one or more massive planets sweeping up material from the disk, potentially forming an entire planetary system.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 18, 2011
Researchers used a technique called spectro-astrometry to observe protoplanetary disks in great detail, distinguishing between gas and dust distributions. They discovered that hydrogen gas is incorporated into the star through accretion, which can occur violently or smoothly, depending on the star's magnetic field.
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
A new study found that gas giants like Jupiter must form extremely fast, in less than 5 million years, or they won't form at all. This rapid growth spurt is necessary because the material from which they formed probably disappeared within a few million years.
SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·DateJan 5, 2009
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found two young stars with gaps in their protoplanetary disks, suggesting infant planets cleared debris. The study provides new insights into solar system formation and history.
SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 29, 2007
Astronomers have discovered five Earth-oceans' worth of water falling onto a protoplanetary disk around an extremely young star, IRAS 4B. The 'disk-accretion shock' mechanism is responsible for the formation of planetary systems, and this finding provides valuable insights into the early stages of our solar system's life.
SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature·DateAug 29, 2007
Researchers Jeff Bary and David Weintraub propose that planetary disks may not dissipate as expected, but instead become invisible due to the planet-building process. They detected evidence of molecular hydrogen in three classical T Tauri stars with visible disks, suggesting a large but hard-to-detect disk in naked stars.
Weintraub and Bary's study of T Tauri stars reveals that many older stars may still possess protoplanetary disks, which are invisible to Earth-based telescopes. This finding contradicts the prevailing assumption that most Sun-like stars lose their disks before planetary systems can form.
SourceVanderbilt University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 9, 2002
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.