protoplanetary disk

A protoplanetary disk is a rotating disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star, known as a protostar. These disks are the birthplaces of planetary systems, including our own solar system. They typically form as a natural consequence of the angular momentum conservation in a collapsing molecular cloud that leads to the formation of a star. Protoplanetary disks provide the essential materials from which planets, moons, and other smaller bodies like asteroids and comets form through processes of accretion and aggregation. The composition and dynamics of these disks are crucial for determining the architecture and characteristics of the resulting planetary system. Observations and studies of protoplanetary disks help astronomers understand the conditions and processes that lead to planet formation and provide insights into the diversity of planetary systems in the universe.