protoplanetary disk
noun
a disk composed of dust and gas whirling around a relatively young star and thought to be the precursor of a planetary system.
protoplanetary disks
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pluralof protoplanetary disk.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gorti has spent decades investigating the evolution and dispersal of protoplanetary disks, including the role of ultraviolet and X-ray radiation from young stars in driving photoevaporative winds.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026
The second is that NGC 346 is taking more time to dissipate its protoplanetary disks because of radiation pressure being expelled from its stars.
From Salon ● Dec. 21, 2024
Researchers have two hypotheses as to why these protoplanetary disks persist.
From Salon ● Dec. 21, 2024
Newborn stars are typically surrounded by spinning rings of dust and gas known as protoplanetary disks, which provide the raw materials necessary for planets to take shape.
From Science Magazine ● Mar. 8, 2024
By observing water vapor in protoplanetary disks, Webb confirmed a physical process involving the drifting of ice-coated solids from the outer regions of the disk into the rocky-planet zone.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 8, 2023
