Trapezium: Teardrops in My Skies
Explanation:
Sometimes the unexpected comes in a familiar
shape. In this
recently
released picture,
the seemingly familiar teardrop-shaped object just right of center
is actually
an unusually
situated disk of gas and dust.
In fact, the teardrop is about the size of
our own Solar
System
and is racing against time to condense and form planets. This
disk, however, is unfortunate enough to lie in the
Trapezium,
which is also home to
several immense,
bright stars.
These bright stars emit light so powerful it boils away the
gas
and
dust in
planet-forming disks.
Large
Jupiter-like planets will probably
never form in this hostile environment, but it is currently unknown
whether
Earth-like planets could
form and survive.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
