Ice plays an important role in the swelling of small celestial bodies into massive planets
The ice line during a stellar outburst. Closest to the star, the solid material is dust, but outside the ice line, ice allows particles to grow larger. Illustration: A. Angelich (NRAO/AUI/NSF)/ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO) How planets form is a question that has long vexed the world's astronomers. In recent years, the so-called pebble theory - where tiny gravel particles are sucked together - has gained gr
https://www.fysik.lu.se/en/article/ice-plays-important-role-swelling-small-celestial-bodies-massive-planets - 2025-09-09