HL Tau

Definition

HL Tau is a young star located in the constellation Taurus, approximately 450 light-years from Earth. It is an important object of study due to its protoplanetary disk, which provides insights into the early stages of planet formation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. HL Tau is estimated to be less than a million years old, making it a very young star.
2. The protoplanetary disk around HL Tau was imaged in unprecedented detail by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in 2014.
3. The detailed images of HL Tau's disk revealed multiple gaps and rings, which are believed to be caused by forming planets.
4. HL Tau's observations support the theory that planets form within disks of gas and dust surrounding young stars.
5. Studying HL Tau helps astronomers understand the processes involved in the early stages of planetary system development.

Review Questions

• What characteristic feature of HL Tau makes it significant for studying planet formation?
• Which telescope provided detailed images of HL Tau's protoplanetary disk?
• How do the gaps and rings observed in HL Tau's disk contribute to our understanding of planet formation?

Related terms

Protoplanetary Disk: A rotating circumstellar disk of dense gas and dust surrounding a newly formed star, where planets can form.

ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array): A powerful telescope array located in Chile that observes electromagnetic radiation at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths.

Planet Formation: The process by which solid particles within a protoplanetary disk coalesce to form planetary bodies.