30 years ago, Nasa announced that the Hubble Space Telescope provided the strongest evidence yet that “planet-making process” is common in our Milky Way galaxy.
Thirty years later, astronomers believe that planetary systems like this are common in the universe. And because planets are necessary for life as we know it to become established, this raises the likelihood of the existence of life beyond Earth.
Nasa
These massive disks of dust, observed by Hubble, known as protoplanetary disks or proplyds, surround young stars and are crucial to the planet-making process. Scientists believe that Earth and the rest of our solar system formed in a similar manner around 4.5 billion years ago.
Reflecting on this milestone, astronomers now affirm that planetary systems are widespread throughout the universe. This prevalence significantly raises the potential for life beyond Earth, as planets are essential for establishing life as we understand it.
To commemorate this anniversary, Nasa shared an intriguing image showcasing the planet-forming process. The image reveals hazy, glowing clouds of blue, gray, and pink. In the foreground, five protoplanetary disks are visible, with the largest glowing pale orange at the center. The other disks, although smaller, exhibit similar colors except for the rightmost disk, which appears dark brown with a bright center.
This discovery by Hubble not only expanded our understanding of planet formation but also heightened the prospects of finding life elsewhere in the universe. The ongoing study of these protoplanetary disks continues to inspire and inform the search for extraterrestrial life.
