Wednesday, April 30, 2025
All the Bits Fit to Print
High-resolution ALMA survey maps gas and dust in protoplanetary disks
New high-resolution observations of fifteen large protoplanetary disks reveal widespread complex structures in gas and dust, indicating active planet formation processes.
Why it matters: Detailed imaging exposes physical and velocity substructures critical for understanding early planet formation dynamics.
The big picture: All but one disk show dust and gas features driven by embedded planets or large-scale instabilities.
Stunning stat: Velocity measurements achieved precision uncertainties as low as 10 meters per second across disks.
Quick takeaway: Deep, high-resolution ALMA data uncover dynamic disk environments shaped by planets, instabilities, and winds.