Protoplanetary Disk


A protoplanetary disk is a rotating circumstellar disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a young newly formed star, where planets are believed to form. The protoplanetary disk is composed of gas and dust, and extends outward from the central star to a radius of several hundred astronomical units (AU). The gas in the disk is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, while the dust is made up of silicates, carbon, and ice. The disk is heated by the central star, causing the gas and dust to emit radiation in the infrared spectrum. Over time, the dust particles in the disk begin to stick together and form larger bodies, eventually leading to the formation of planetesimals and planets.


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