Protostellar disks

Protostellar disks are rotating, flat accumulations of gas and dust surrounding a young star in formation. They form from the leftover material in a star’s birth cloud, flattening out due to angular momentum. These disks serve as the birthplace for planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies. Over time, particles collide and stick together, growing into larger objects, while the central star continues to gather mass from the disk. Protostellar disks are essential in understanding how stars and planetary systems develop, acting as cosmic nurseries for new worlds.