According to a communication from the CNRS dated June 1, 2026. Based on a scientific paper published in Astronomy & Astrophysics to which the Lyon Astrophysics Research Center (CNRS/ENS de Lyon/Lyon 1 Claude Bernard University) contributed: “Destructuring the disk of AB Aurigae: dynamics and accretion”. Thumbnail credit: © ESO
The rotation of a protoplanetary disc (a disc where planets are being formed) has been observed directly for the very first time by mapping the emissions from the dust grains within it. The disc in question surrounds the young star AB Aurigae.
Although it appears to generally rotate in accordance with the laws of physics, certain regions close to the star show an unexpected departure from this behaviour. A body of evidence suggests that this anomaly is caused by the presence of giant planets in the process of formation.
The study, led by scientists from the CNRS and the University of Bordeaux is published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics on June 1, 2026. It sheds fresh light on the mechanisms of planetary formation and the complex dynamics of protoplanetary discs.
Reference
Destructuring the disk of AB Aurigae: dynamics and accretion
Anthony Boccaletti, Emmanuel Di Folco, Anne Dutrey, Tang Ya-Wen, Stephane Guillotea, Thomas Collin-Dufresne, Anne-Marie Lagrange, Eric Pantin, Jeffrey S. Bary, Nuria Huelamo, Jozsef Varga, Julien Milli, Vincent Pietu, William Danchi, Bin Ren, Clement Baruteau, Mickael Bonnefoy, Tracy Beck, Maud Langlois, Sylvestre Lacour, Bruno Lopez, Alexis Matter, Julien Woillez, Florentin Millour, Matthis Houllé, Philippe Berio, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 1 June 2026