The presence of icy grains is expected to assist in the formation of planets since it creates additional, solid material to form the planetary core. (seeker.com)
In addition to being a molecular reservoir, ice ch... ▽ More Icy grain mantles are commonly observed through infrared spectroscopy toward dense clouds, cloud cores, protostellar envelopes and protoplanetary disks. (arxiv.org)
«They are likely formed on icy grains in the disk and then released into the gas phase because of heating from stellar radiation or some other means, such as shocks,» says co-author Zhi - Yun Li of the University of Virginia. (alma-telescope.jp)