Astronomers Discover Rocky Planets: Details on Formation Stages

Astronomers have for the first time discovered the earliest stages of rocky planet formation around a sun-like young star. This revelation was made in the vicinity of a yellow dwarf star known as HOPS-315, which is located about 1,370 light-years away and is merely 100,000 to 200,000 years old.

Scientists observed a hot zone of gas and dust where the embryos of future planets are forming. The research has been published in the journal Nature. Study lead Melissa McClure noted that it has been possible for the first time to document the actual process of rocky planet formation.

Fred Chessel of the University of Chicago emphasized that this discovery was anticipated in the field of astronomy. The observations were conducted through joint efforts between NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and the European Southern Observatory.