Unraveling the Mysteries of Distant Astronomical Objects: How Astronomers Study the Unreachable Universe

Astronomers studying distant solar systems rely on remote observations since they cannot send robotic spacecraft to gather samples. By observing apparent properties such as brightness, color, position, and shape, astronomers can calculate the properties they are interested in studying. Protoplanetary disks, located many light years outside our solar system, provide valuable insights into the early planet formation process. The recent arrival of the Bennu sample will help scientists understand not only asteroids and interplanetary dust but also interstellar dust in solar systems farther away, shedding light on the formation of planets.