Astronomers Observe Early Stages of Planet Formation Around Distant Star

Scientists have observed the initial stages of planet formation around a young star named HOPS-315, located approximately 1,300 light-years from Earth. Utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), researchers detected the condensation of silicon monoxide gas and crystalline silicate minerals in the star's protoplanetary disk. These findings suggest that solid materials are beginning to form, marking the earliest known phase of planet formation beyond our solar system. The location of these minerals within the disk corresponds to the region of the asteroid belt in our solar system, providing valuable insights into the processes that may have led to the formation of planets like Earth. This discovery offers a unique opportunity to study the formation of planetary systems in real-time, enhancing our understanding of how planets develop around young stars. The research was led by Melissa McClure of Leiden University and Edwin Bergin of the University of Michigan, with findings published in the journal Nature.