Planetary Formation articles
What were the three major components of the solar nebula?
The vast, swirling cloud of gas and dust that birthed our Sun and its attendant planets—the solar nebula—was not a homog...
How does star formation differ in elliptical and spiral galaxies?
The character of a galaxy, from its shape to the color of its light, is deeply tied to its history of star formation. Wh...
What is the difference between a planetary and a diffuse nebula?
Nebulae, those magnificent clouds of gas and dust scattered across the cosmos, represent the raw material and the dramat...
Why do planetary nebulas have so many different shapes?
The vast, glowing clouds known as planetary nebulas present a stunning array of forms across the night sky, from simple ...
Are planetary nebulas rare?
The appearance of a glowing shell of gas drifting in space, often displaying vibrant colors and intricate shapes, immedi...
What is the main reason for the low star formation in elliptical galaxies?
The silent grandeur of **elliptical galaxies** often belies a long and dramatic history. Unlike their spiral cousins, wh...
What is the reason that planetary nebulae are visible?
Planetary nebulae owe their ephemeral visibility to a dramatic final act in the lives of certain stars—specifically, med...
What kind of evidence suggests that there is not much star formation happening in elliptical galaxies?
The visual contrast between different galaxy types immediately suggests differences in their current activity levels. Sp...