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What role do red giants play in the formation of planets?

Crystal Mahaddy

Red giants are a type of star that are much bigger than our own sun. They are very important in the formation of planets in our universe.

The first thing you need to know is that planets form from a cloud of gas and dust called a protoplanetary disk. These disks are formed around young stars like our own sun.

But how do these disks turn into planets? Well, the answer lies in the red giants.

Red giants are very bright and hot stars that burn a lot of fuel. They are so hot that they can actually push the gas and dust in the protoplanetary disk away from the star. This creates a gap in the disk which can make it less dense.

When the disk is less dense, gravity can start to take over. Objects in the disk can start to attract each other and form larger and larger bodies. Eventually, these bodies become planets.

So, without red giants, planets would not be able to form. The disks would stay too dense and gravity wouldn't be able to work its magic.

It's amazing to think that something so far away and enormous can have such an impact on the formation of the small planets we call home.