In a distant stellar nursery, a collection of newly born Jupiter-sized worlds has been discovered, with the smallest one surrounded by a dusty disk that could potentially form moons in the future. This groundbreaking finding, made possible by the remarkable sensitivity of the James Webb Space Telescope, offers valuable insights into the formation of stars and planets, as detailed in a forthcoming study in The Astronomical Journal.
Located in the young star cluster NGC1333, approximately 1,000 light-years away in the constellation Perseus, a group of astronomers has identified numerous star-like objects in their infancy, including six tiny worlds with masses ranging from five to 15 times that of Jupiter. The presence of a dusty disk around the smallest world mirrors those found around young stars, hinting at the possibility of moon formation in the future, according to Adam Langeveld, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University.
By uncovering the lightest object with a disk formation in this cluster, the researchers are pushing the boundaries of our understanding of star and planet formation processes. This discovery underscores the similarities between the formation of stars and planets, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms at play in the universe.
Future investigations using the JWST will delve into the chemical composition of these newborn worlds and their surrounding materials, offering further insights into the conditions that lead to the formation of celestial bodies in this unique environment.
2024-08-27 03:00:00
Source: www.sciencenews.org