Concentric rings and gaps in a nearby disk suggest early planet formation
In short: Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observed the nearest gas-rich protoplanetary disk, TW Hya. They discovered a series of concentric ring-shaped substructures and narrow dark gaps between 1 and 6 astronomical units from the central star. These features represent concentrations of solid particles that have stopped drifting inward.
The study suggests these structures may form at local gas pressure maxima or at condensation fronts where major volatile species freeze. However, the discovery of a specific narrow gap only 1 au from the star could also point to gravitational interactions with young planets.
The researchers used long baseline observations to trace millimeter-sized particles at very small spatial scales. A limitation of this study is that the modest brightness contrasts of the rings could be a result of magnetized disk evolution rather than just planet formation.
Why it matters: Finding ordered structures in nearby disks helps scientists understand how planets begin to form from dust and gas.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Andrews et al. (2016). RINGED SUBSTRUCTURE AND A GAP AT 1 au IN THE NEAREST PROTOPLANETARY DISK. The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
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