By: Dirk

Dirk — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:12:28 +0000

Earth-like high density planets might not form in dusty, low density clouds around stars; they rather form by escaped coronal heavy elements that roll up in orbit gaining mass to planetessimals by magnetism in a slow, gradual manner. Through millions of years they will be iron rich planets like Mercury (is therefore the youngest one in our solar system) and internal cooler (older) examples like Earth and Mars. They spiral away because of their gained mass (dust, comets, expansion) and loss of the star's magnetic field (burns up) responsible for their orbit.
Look for exoplanets like earth: look for sun-like stars (HR-identical). They all should have some.

By: Dwight

Dwight — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:45:10 +0000

As ususal, the key word in all this is "…could."

Comments on: Lightweight Disk Could Harbour Planets

By: Dirk

By: Dwight