protoplanetary disk

A protoplanetary disk is a spinning disk of gas and dust that forms around a young star. As the star develops, the material in the disk gradually comes together due to gravity, leading to the formation of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. This process can take millions of years and is crucial for creating the solar systems we observe today. The disk's dynamics and composition influence the types of planets that form, their orbits, and how they interact with each other in the early stages of planetary development.