Astronomers See Pebbles Poised to Make Planets

A team of astronomers led from St Andrews and Manchester universities today (6 July) announced the discovery of a ring of rocks circling a very young star. This is the first time these 'pebbles', thought to be a crucial link in building planets, have been detected. Dr Jane Greaves of the University of St Andrews presented the work at the National Astronomy Meeting at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Wales. An artist's impression of the belt of 'pebbles' in orbit around the star DG Tauri. The inset is a...