Since 2020, aggregated from related topics
Planetesimal formation is the process by which small, rocky bodies known as planetesimals form from dust and gas in the protoplanetary disk surrounding a young star. These planetesimals are the building blocks of planets and other bodies in a planetary system. The exact mechanisms and timescales of planetesimal formation are not fully understood, but it is believed to involve the gradual accumulation and aggregation of dust particles, aided by collisions and gravitational interactions. Studying planetesimal formation is crucial for understanding the early stages of planetary system formation and the origin of our own solar system.