B In Cosmic First, Scientists Spy a Star's Snow Line

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Astronomers have observed a star's water snow line for the first time, marking the boundary in a young star's debris disk where ice and snow begin to form. This discovery occurred when the star V883 Orionis experienced a brightness surge, allowing researchers to see the normally obscured snow line. The snow line is crucial for understanding planet formation, as it differentiates between rocky planets like Earth and gas giants like Jupiter. The finding highlights the dynamic processes in stellar systems and enhances knowledge of planetary development. This breakthrough is significant for astrophysics and the study of planetary systems.
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http://www.space.com/33410-star-snow-line-seen-for-first-time.html

From there,

For the first time, astronomers have caught a glimpse of the water snow line around a star — the point in the young star's orbiting disk of debris where snow and ice first appear.

Normally, that boundary huddles too close to the star for astronomers to see it, but this particular star had a sudden burst of brightness that superheated its disk, obliterating ice further out than usual.

Researchers are excited to spot their first stellar snow line because of the vital part it plays in the formation of planets around young stars: The rocky section forms planets like Earth and Mars, while the snowy outskirts sprout gaseous worlds like Jupiter and Saturn. [ALMA: 8 Cool Facts About a Giant Radio Telescope] ...

...An artist's illustration shows the water snow line spotted around the young star V883 Orionis — the delineation between where the hot star vaporizes all water, leaving rocky dust and debris, and where ice and snow exist in the disk.

v883-orionis-snow-line-illustration.jpg
 
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Amazing news, thanks for sharing it!
 
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