Chandra Maps Hazardous Zones for Planet Formation in Star Clusters
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the retired Spitzer Space Telescope have identified 'danger zones' for planet formation around young stars in the Cygnus OB2 star cluster. These zones are characterized by high-energy ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from massive stars, which can rapidly dissipate protoplanetary disks, hindering planet formation. The study found that in densely packed regions with intense radiation, the presence of protoplanetary disks drops significantly, making these areas less conducive to planet formation.
