What if we could watch planets form in real time? Astronomers just got closer than ever—by peering into the lives of planet-making disks around young stars.
Key Points at a Glance
- AGE-PRO survey observed 30 planet-forming disks using ALMA
- First major study to trace how gas in these disks evolves over time
- Gas and dust evolve at different rates, reshaping planet formation timelines
- Gas tends to disperse more quickly, affecting giant planet formation
- Disks that survive longer have more gas than expected
In the silent void of space, newborn stars are surrounded by swirling disks of gas and dust—cosmic cradles where planets are born. Until now, we mostly understood the story of dust. But in a groundbreaking new survey, astronomers have finally traced the gas—shedding light on how entire solar systems come to life.
Led by an international team including researchers at the University of Arizona, the ALMA Survey of Gas Evolution of PROtoplanetary Disks (AGE-PRO) has for the first time mapped the transformation of gas in planet-forming disks over millions of years. Their findings, detailed in 12 papers in the Astrophysical Journal, reveal the inner workings—and surprisingly short lifespans—of the material that births gas giants like Jupiter.
“Now we have both, the gas and the dust,” said Ilaria Pascucci, planetary sciences professor at the University of Arizona and a co-leader of the project. “Observing gas is much harder, but with ALMA’s sensitivity and years of data, we were finally able to do it.”
AGE-PRO targeted 30 disks in star-forming regions ranging from 1 to 6 million years old. These include Ophiuchus, Lupus, and Upper Scorpius—regions that represent key stages in the evolution of stellar systems. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), researchers captured faint molecular fingerprints in the disks, including carbon monoxide and diazenylium (N2H+), to measure gas mass and distribution with unprecedented precision.
One of the most striking findings: gas disperses much faster than dust, especially in young disks. This means the clock ticks rapidly for gas giant formation. “Disks blow off more gas early on,” said project leader Ke Zhang of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. “That limits how long Jupiter-like planets have to form.”
And yet, disks that survive longer have more gas than previously thought—offering hope that planet formation may continue even in mature systems. This discovery challenges assumptions that smaller or older disks are barren. “We were surprised to see a more consistent gas-to-dust ratio across disks of different sizes,” said Arizona graduate researcher Dingshan Deng. “It reshapes how we think about disk evolution.”
AGE-PRO’s data, years in the making, now stands as the largest chemical survey of planet-forming disks to date. It opens new doors to understanding how diverse planetary systems emerge—and where to look for them. The legacy of this project will guide future ALMA studies and the next generation of planet-hunting missions.
As astronomers piece together the timeline of planetary birth, one thing becomes clear: these swirling disks are alive with change, and they don’t wait around. The planets forming today might be gone tomorrow—unless we catch them in the act.
Source: University of Arizona
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