* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Exits as Lois — But the Door Isn’t Closed – Yahoo

    General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Exits as Lois — But the Door Isn’t Closed – Yahoo

    CNN Launches New Show – What to Know About Host Elex Michaelson – Central Oregon Daily

    Get to Know Elex Michaelson: The Dynamic New Host Taking CNN by Storm

    Johnny Depp Set To Finally Make His Big Hollywood Comeback After Amber Heard Controversy – Yahoo

    Johnny Depp Set for a Triumphant Hollywood Comeback Following Amber Heard Controversy

    ‘Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc’ Review: Hit Manga Gets an Ultra-Violent, Surprisingly Emotional Big-Screen Adaptation – Yahoo

    Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Review: A Brutal and Unexpectedly Emotional Big-Screen Adaptation

    Reba McEntire Details Personal Relationship With Late Stepson Brandon Blackstock – KNDU

    Reba McEntire Shares Emotional Tribute to Her Late Stepson Brandon Blackstock

    Sacramento city leaders approve adding 2 entertainment zones in midtown – CBS News

    Sacramento City Leaders Approve Two Thrilling New Entertainment Zones in Midtown

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Ghost Tapping is exploiting tap-to-pay technology in order to steal your money; what your need to know – ABC7 New York

    Ghost Tapping: How Thieves Are Using Tap-to-Pay Technology to Steal Your Money and What You Need to Know

    New technology for grading and packing dates – FreshPlaza

    Revolutionary Technology Transforms Date Grading and Packing Process

    Project underway to upgrade technology on 911 towers in Kanawha County – WCHS

    Kanawha County Launches Major Upgrade to 911 Tower Technology

    Next steps: Technology opens new options for greater mobility – Missouri Independent

    Next Steps: How Technology is Opening Exciting New Doors to Greater Mobility

    Rydberg Technologies Inc. Announces Launch of Rydberg Photonics in Berlin – The Quantum Insider

    Rydberg Technologies Launches Exciting New Photonics Division in Berlin

    A look into new technology at Columbia University that could help prevent a dangerous pregnancy complication – ABC7 New York

    A look into new technology at Columbia University that could help prevent a dangerous pregnancy complication – ABC7 New York

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Exits as Lois — But the Door Isn’t Closed – Yahoo

    General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Exits as Lois — But the Door Isn’t Closed – Yahoo

    CNN Launches New Show – What to Know About Host Elex Michaelson – Central Oregon Daily

    Get to Know Elex Michaelson: The Dynamic New Host Taking CNN by Storm

    Johnny Depp Set To Finally Make His Big Hollywood Comeback After Amber Heard Controversy – Yahoo

    Johnny Depp Set for a Triumphant Hollywood Comeback Following Amber Heard Controversy

    ‘Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc’ Review: Hit Manga Gets an Ultra-Violent, Surprisingly Emotional Big-Screen Adaptation – Yahoo

    Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc Review: A Brutal and Unexpectedly Emotional Big-Screen Adaptation

    Reba McEntire Details Personal Relationship With Late Stepson Brandon Blackstock – KNDU

    Reba McEntire Shares Emotional Tribute to Her Late Stepson Brandon Blackstock

    Sacramento city leaders approve adding 2 entertainment zones in midtown – CBS News

    Sacramento City Leaders Approve Two Thrilling New Entertainment Zones in Midtown

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    Ghost Tapping is exploiting tap-to-pay technology in order to steal your money; what your need to know – ABC7 New York

    Ghost Tapping: How Thieves Are Using Tap-to-Pay Technology to Steal Your Money and What You Need to Know

    New technology for grading and packing dates – FreshPlaza

    Revolutionary Technology Transforms Date Grading and Packing Process

    Project underway to upgrade technology on 911 towers in Kanawha County – WCHS

    Kanawha County Launches Major Upgrade to 911 Tower Technology

    Next steps: Technology opens new options for greater mobility – Missouri Independent

    Next Steps: How Technology is Opening Exciting New Doors to Greater Mobility

    Rydberg Technologies Inc. Announces Launch of Rydberg Photonics in Berlin – The Quantum Insider

    Rydberg Technologies Launches Exciting New Photonics Division in Berlin

    A look into new technology at Columbia University that could help prevent a dangerous pregnancy complication – ABC7 New York

    A look into new technology at Columbia University that could help prevent a dangerous pregnancy complication – ABC7 New York

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Science

Surprise! Baby exoplanets might look like Smarties candies rather than spheres

February 8, 2024
in Science
Surprise! Baby exoplanets might look like Smarties candies rather than spheres
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Sweet new research suggests that newly forming planets may have a flattened shape  similar to that of a popular British candy. 

A team of researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in England used computer simulations to model the formation of planets in dense gas disks around young stars. Comparing these models with actual observations, they discovered that the young planets took shapes that defied expectations. 

“We have been studying planet formation for a long time, but never before had we thought to check the shape of the planets as they form in the simulations. We had always assumed that they were spherical,” said team member Dimitris Stamatellos, an astrophysicist at UCLan. “We were very surprised that they turned out to be oblate spheroids, pretty similar to Smarties!”

Readers outside the U.K. and Europe may not be familiar with Smarties — this version, at least. European Smarties are oblate spheroid-shaped disks of chocolate covered with a colorful hard candy shell that are manufactured by Nestle and sold in hexagonal cardboard tubes. (To readers in the U.S., Smarties are a different candy altogether: small, disc-shaped sugary wafers that come packaged in clear plastic wrapping.)

Related: James Webb Space Telescope detects clues about how Earth formed billions of years ago

While over 5,000 exoplanets have been discovered to date, astronomers still don’t fully understand in detail the sequence of events that marks their birth and early evolution. The new research could shed more light on that process. 

U.K. confectionary Smarties against a background of stars

U.K. confectionary Smarties against a background of stars, which may be similarly shaped to forming planets. (Image credit: Robert Lea )

Planets build up from their (non-chocolately) centers

The UCLan team arrived at their cosmic-candy conclusion after examining the formation mechanisms of gas giant worlds like Jupiter. They focused on the initial shapes of such planets and how these could facilitate the growth of planetary seeds, resulting in massive planets even larger than our solar system’s giants.

The standard theory of planet formation suggests that this growth happens gradually as dust particles stick together to form progressively larger and larger objects over long periods of time. This is referred to as “core accretion” and is the favored model of planet formation.

Alternatively, planet birth could happen over shorter timescales when large rotating protoplanetary discs around young stars break into pieces — the “disk instability” method. The team’s model seems to lend more credibility to this less favored theory, supporting rapid planet formation via disk instability.

“This [disk instability] theory is appealing due to the fact that large planets can form very quickly at large distances from their host star, explaining some exoplanet observations,” said UCLan’s Adam Fenton. 

The team’s model suggested that newly forming planets take the shape of oblate spheroids because, as material falls onto them, it goes mainly to their poles.

One major conclusion from the research is that the appearance of young exoplanets seen from Earth may vary depending on how those planets are angled.

If Earth is directed “face on” to an exoplanet, then the planet will appear to have a traditional round shape; when seen on edge, however, a young planet would show its true Smartie-like shape and thus confirm if the team’s model is right. 

Oblate spheroids in the form of Smarties seen face-on (left) and edge-on (right).

Oblate spheroids in the form of Smarties seen face-on (left) and edge-on (right). (Image credit: Robert Lea)

Observations of young planets, often still shrouded in gas and dust, have only recently become possible with telescopes such as the Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). These observatories could provide evidence to bolster the Smarties theory.

The team will now continue to investigate the formation of planets using an improved computer model. They hope to discover the role the environment around a planet plays in influencing its formation and shape. 

The team’s research is available here. It has been accepted for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Space.com – https://www.space.com/infant-exoplanets-shape-smarties-candies

Tags: ExoplanetsscienceSurprise
Previous Post

New film ‘Spacewoman’ to celebrate NASA’s Eileen Collins, 1st woman space commander and pilot

Next Post

Upcoming solar maximum may help solve the sun’s gamma-ray puzzle

The $500m slugger who is taking Canada to the World Series – BBC

The $500 Million Slugger Leading Canada to the World Series Glory

October 25, 2025
Russian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate to 16.5% as Economy Slows – The Moscow Times

Russian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate to 16.5% in Response to Economic Slowdown

October 25, 2025
General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Exits as Lois — But the Door Isn’t Closed – Yahoo

General Hospital’s Rena Sofer Exits as Lois — But the Door Isn’t Closed – Yahoo

October 25, 2025
Health Department Encourages Residents to Take Steps to Prevent Respiratory Viruses – | Larimer County (.gov)

Stay Healthy This Season: Must-Know Tips to Shield Yourself from Respiratory Viruses

October 25, 2025
Politics | Oct 25th 2025 Edition – The Economist

Politics | Oct 25th 2025 Edition – The Economist

October 25, 2025
Nutritional supplements boost baby coral survival – EurekAlert!

How Nutritional Supplements Are Boosting Baby Coral Survival Rates

October 25, 2025
Scientists Are One Step Closer to Letting Humans ‘Breathe’ Through Their Butts – Yahoo

Scientists Are One Step Closer to Letting Humans ‘Breathe’ Through Their Butts – Yahoo

October 25, 2025
Bizarre Crystals in Titan’s Lakes Could Break a Fundamental Rule of Chemistry – ScienceAlert

Strange Crystals Found in Titan’s Lakes Challenge a Fundamental Chemistry Rule

October 25, 2025
Mortgage Rates Inch Toward 6% as Fed Weighs October Cut – IslanderNews.com

Mortgage Rates Surge Near 6% Amid Speculation of October Fed Rate Cut

October 25, 2025
Ghost Tapping is exploiting tap-to-pay technology in order to steal your money; what your need to know – ABC7 New York

Ghost Tapping: How Thieves Are Using Tap-to-Pay Technology to Steal Your Money and What You Need to Know

October 25, 2025

Categories

Archives

October 2025
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Sep    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (885)
  • Economy (907)
  • Entertainment (21,778)
  • General (17,795)
  • Health (9,948)
  • Lifestyle (919)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (907)
  • Politics (917)
  • Science (16,117)
  • Sports (21,406)
  • Technology (15,886)
  • World (890)

Recent News

The $500m slugger who is taking Canada to the World Series – BBC

The $500 Million Slugger Leading Canada to the World Series Glory

October 25, 2025
Russian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate to 16.5% as Economy Slows – The Moscow Times

Russian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate to 16.5% in Response to Economic Slowdown

October 25, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version