A debris disk is a term used in astronomy to describe a ring-shaped structure of dust and other small particles that orbit around a star. These disks are believed to be formed from the remnants of comets, asteroids or other celestial bodies that have been broken apart by gravitational forces near the star. The debris in these disks can range from tiny dust grains to larger boulders and even planetesimals.
The presence of a debris disk around a star is often an indication that there may be other celestial bodies, such as exoplanets or moons, orbiting the star as well. Astronomers study these disks in order to learn more about the formation and evolution of planetary systems.
In some cases, debris disks can also produce detectable levels of infrared radiation that can be observed by telescopes on Earth. These observations allow astronomers to gather additional information about the composition and structure of these disks.