File:Solar Nebula.jpg

Summary

Original Caption Released with Image: NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope observed a fledgling solar system like the one depicted in this artist's concept, and discovered deep within it enough water vapor to fill the oceans on Earth five times. This water vapor starts out in the form of ice in a cloudy cocoon (not pictured) that surrounds the embryonic star, called NGC 1333-IRAS 4B (buried in center of image). Material from the cocoon, including ice, falls toward the center of the cloud. The ice then smacks down onto a dusty pre-planetary disk circling the stellar embryo (doughnut-shaped cloud) and vaporizes. Eventually, this water might make its way into developing planets.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Animated video is available from NASA

Copyright status

This image is public domain because it was first published by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Source

http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA09967