Astronomers Reveal Diverse Planet Formation Processes in Groundbreaking Survey

Using the Very Large Telescope, researchers have captured stunning images of over 80 planet-forming systems, showcasing the variety of ways planets can form.

The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope has imaged 86 planet-forming systems, revealing a wide range of formation processes.
Observations were made in three star-forming regions: Taurus and Chamaeleon I, both 600 light-years away, and Orion, 1,600 light-years away, highlighting diverse environments.
Planet-forming disks displayed remarkable diversity, including spiral arms, rings, and large cavities, suggesting the influence of orbiting planets.
In the Orion region, binary or group stars showed smaller disks, with some evidence of massive planets causing misalignment.
The study, published across three papers in Astronomy & Astrophysics, marks a significant shift from studying individual systems to a comprehensive overview of star-forming regions.

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