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For the first time, astronomers have captured the "birth" of a new solar system
Scientists using the James Webb and ALMA telescopes have witnessed the formation of planets around a newly formed star for the first time. They have discovered the earliest stage of planetary system formation in the process of solidification of hot crystalline minerals. "This is the first time that we have directly observed the formation of planets around another star," said Professor Melissa McClure (Leiden University).
This planetary system is forming around a "baby" star called HOPS-315. Already formed planets have been observed before, but it has never been possible to "catch" the beginning of their formation. Now, scientists have seen for the first time the particles that make them up, called planetesimals.
The minerals found contain silicon monoxide and are formed at high temperatures inside the disk. They are considered the "bricks" of future planets. "We are looking at the same formula that formed our solar system," said Logan Francis (Leiden University).
This is a unique opportunity to understand how our solar system was born.
