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protoplanet |
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protoplanet [′prōd·ō‚plan·ət] (astronomy) A precursor of one of the giant planets, which is believed to have formed, along with its satellites, from a minisolar nebula in a manner similar to that of the formation of the sun and planets. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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In computer simulations, the researchers found that debris could have collected at either L4 or L5 into a Mars-size protoplanet and then been nudged away from its sweet spot by other gravitational pulls. The new data do not lend weight to the protoplanet interpretation, and the results remain consistent with the explanation that TMR-1C may be a background star," Terebey and her colleagues said in a statement posted on the Internet. This accumulation of gas eventually stopped when the protoplanet grew so large that its gravitational pull opened up a gap in the nebula similar to the gaps found in Saturn's rings. |
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