Free Republic

The natal disk of PDS 70 with new planet PDS 70b (bright spot on the right). By studying this system, researchers uncovered a mismatched composition of gases in the planet’s atmosphere compared to gases within the disk. Credit: ESO, VLT, André B. Müller ======================================================================================= A new study challenges traditional views of planet formation by showing discrepancies in the composition of gases between a developing exoplanet and its surrounding disk. The research, based on analysis of the PDS 70 system, suggests that planets might not simply accrete gas from their natal disks but may also significantly incorporate solid materials. New Findings...

Explanation: It's not the big disk that's attracting the most attention. Although the big planet-forming disk around the star PDS 70 is clearly imaged and itself quite interesting. It's also not the planet on the right, just inside the big disk, that’s being talked about the most. Although the planet PDS 70c is a newly formed and, interestingly, similar in size and mass to Jupiter. It's the fuzzy patch around the planet PDS 70c that's causing the commotion. That fuzzy patch is thought to be itself a dusty disk that is now forming into moons -- and that has never...