The James Webb Space Telescope challenges theories about the formation of planets in the early universe

New discoveries indicate that protoplanetary discs can survive longer in environments poor in heavy elements, contrary to previous assumptions

The Webb Space Telescope has provided evidence that contradicts existing theories by confirming the existence of long-lived protoplanetary disks in heavy-element-deficient environments, suggesting the need to change our understanding of planet formation in the early universe. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Olivia C. Jones (UK ATC), Guido de Markey (ESTEC), Margaret Meixner (USRA)
The Webb Space Telescope has provided evidence that contradicts existing theories by confirming the existence of long-lived protoplanetary disks in heavy-element-deficient environments, suggesting the need to change our understanding of planet formation in the early universe. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Olivia C. Jones (UK ATC), Guido de Markey (ESTEC), Margaret Meixner (USRA)

In a new and comprehensive study, the James Webb Space Telescope managed to reveal clear evidence of the existence of active protoplanetary disks in an environment poor in heavy elements, a discovery that challenges the accepted theories about the formation of planets in the early universe.

The surprising discoveries of Hubble

The story begins in 2003, when the Hubble Space Telescope detected signs of a massive planet orbiting a very old star. Stars from such an early period were then considered unsuitable for the formation of planets, because the material from which they were formed was low in heavy elements, such as carbon and iron - the building blocks of planets.

Existing scientific models have argued that protoplanetary disks dissipate too quickly in such environments, preventing planets from forming. Despite this, Hubble provided evidence that contradicted this theory, but its capabilities did not allow to verify whether these disks are indeed active in the formation of planets.

To study the phenomenon in depth, the researchers focused on the star cluster NGC 346, a star-forming region in the Small Magellanic Cloud galaxy. This region is similar to the conditions that prevailed in the early universe, where heavy elements were extremely rare.

Infrared sensitivity

With the help of the extraordinary sensitivity of the Webb Space Telescope in the infrared range, the researchers were able to verify Hubble's discoveries and even expand them. Webb discovered that stars in the NGC 346 cluster, 20–30 million years old, are still surrounded by active protoplanetary disks.

"We found that these disks have not only survived beyond all expectations, but they also continue to accumulate material and form planets," said Guido de Marchi, research director at the European Space Technology and Research Center (ESTEC).

Disc survival: a challenge to existing models

The traditional scientific models claimed that in an environment poor in heavy elements, the radioactive radiation of the stars would "clean" the disks quickly, so that their life time would not exceed a million years. However, the new findings show that these discs can survive tens of millions of years.

"These results force us to rethink our models of planet formation," added Elena Sabi, principal investigator at the Gemini Observatory.

Two possible mechanisms for survival

The researchers offer two possible explanations, or a combination of them, that allow the discs to survive longer:

  1. Weaker radiation: The radiation pressure acting to disperse the disks depends on the presence of heavy elements. Since NGC 346 has only about 10% of the heavy elements in our Sun, the radiation is less effective in scattering the disk.
  2. More massive disks: Stars in environments poor in heavy elements may start from larger gas clouds. These massive discs require more time to dissipate, even if the radiation is operating at the same intensity.

"The accumulation process takes longer in these environments," Sabi added. "The implication is that planets can evolve quite differently in such environments."

Implications for understanding the universe

The new findings open the door to a broader understanding of the processes of planet formation and the evolution of planetary systems in extreme environments.

"This discovery is a game-changer," said Joe Westlake, director of NASA's Heliophysics Division. "It not only affects our understanding of planet formation, but also provides new insights into the evolution of the early universe."

The researchers plan to use advanced technologies such as the NEO Surveyor mission, the first space telescope specifically designed to detect near-Earth asteroids, to deepen the study.

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One response

  1. Until when....????
    Still holding on to false imaginations…
    Billions of the nations of the world hold the opinion that there is a creator
    To our world... read the book "A Searching Man".
    meaning "

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