Twin planetary systems in embryo

摘要

Size does matter, especially when it comes to radio telescopes. With a maximum extent of 36 km, the Very Large Array (VLA) of 27 radio telescopes yields sharper images at millimetre wavelengths than any other instrument. Rodriguez et al, reporting on page 355 of this issue, have used it to produce the most detailed millimetre-wave image to date of the L1551 IRS5 system, confirming the existence of what are probably planet-forming disks around both protostars in this binary system. Their analysis has also thrown up some surprises, and may have considerable implications for the formation of giant planets.