Protoplanetární

Protoplanetární is a term used in astronomy to describe a celestial body that is in the process of forming into a planet. These are essentially large clumps of gas and dust that have not yet fully coalesced or cleared their orbital paths. They are found within protoplanetary disks, which are rotating disks of gas and dust that surround young stars. These disks are the birthplaces of planets, and protoplanets are the intermediate stages in this planetary formation process.

The formation of protoplanets is thought to occur through accretion, where smaller particles collide and stick together, gradually growing larger. As a protoplanet grows, its gravity increases, allowing it to attract more material from the surrounding disk. Over millions of years, these protoplanets can grow to be substantial in size, eventually becoming planets, dwarf planets, or even becoming the seeds for giant planets. The ongoing process within protoplanetary disks is a key area of study for understanding how planetary systems, including our own solar system, come into being.