Re:An Earth-sized rogue planet discovered in the Milky Way
by Fishysoup on Sunday November 01, 2020 @03:17AM
(#24957979)
The classification is done because rogue planets etc. tell us things about the process of solar system and planetary formation. Yeah nature tends to have a continuum of things, but the classifications are primarily used as place holders so that people know what everyone's talking about.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:An Earth-sized rogue planet discovered in the Milky Way
by kazinator on Sunday November 01, 2020 @03:23AM
(#24958012)
Since stars form in explosive events, it seems painfully obvious that some of the shit that comes flying out does not stick around, and that it could be planet sized/shaped.
Re:An Earth-sized rogue planet discovered in the Milky Way
by jointpdf on Sunday November 01, 2020 @02:34PM
(#24961863)
Stars are formed in nebulas of gas and dust via gravitational collapse (accretion).
The remaining gas and dust that is swirling around the star flattens out into a disk (because of angular momentum). Planets gradually form in this disk, again via accretion (snowball effect).