protoplanetary disk models

Protoplanetary disk models describe how young stars are surrounded by rotating, flattened disks of gas and dust, which are the building blocks for planets. These disks form as a star collapses under gravity, and the material flattens into a disk due to angular momentum. Over time, particles within the disk collide and stick together, gradually forming larger bodies like planetesimals and eventually planets. Models help scientists understand the physical conditions, composition, temperature, and dynamics within these disks, providing insights into how diverse planetary systems—including our own—originate and evolve.