Astronomers Capture Early Stages of Planet Formation Around Distant Star

Astronomers have observed the initial stages of planet formation around a young star, HOPS-315, located approximately 1,370 light-years from Earth. Utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), researchers detected the condensation of silicon monoxide gas and crystalline silicate minerals in the star's protoplanetary disk. These findings provide direct evidence of the earliest phase of rocky planet formation, offering insights into processes that may be common throughout the universe. The study, published in *Nature*, suggests that the mechanisms initiating rocky planet formation could be widespread, enhancing our understanding of planetary system development.