Nayakshin says this critical radius corresponds to the asteroid belt. In other words, these asteroids are construction debris left over from the formation of the inner planets.

Professor Nayakshin adds, "If our model is correct, then it may have profound implications for our understanding of both star and planet formation. Protoplanetary disks are often called nurseries ...

Sergei Nayakshin from the University of Leicester, England, points out that this harsh environment — radiation and frequent collisions — would make the planets orbiting supermassive black ...

But last summer, Sergei Nayakshin of the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom proposed a new theory for planetary formation. Known as “tidal downsizing,” it works at a faster pace.

The new work is published in "Are SMBHs shrouded by "Super-Oort" clouds of comets and asteroids?", Nayakshin S., Sazonov S., Sunayev R., Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, in press.

But last summer, Sergei Nayakshin of the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom proposed a new theory for planetary formation. Known as “tidal downsizing,” it works at a faster pace.

Some smaller stars were also detected. The massive stars buried in the cosmic murk are each between 30 and 50 times the mass of the Sun, Nayakshin says.

But last summer, Sergei Nayakshin of the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom proposed a new theory for planetary formation. Known as "tidal downsizing," it works at a faster pace.

Nayakshin's team believes these stars may have also formed their own planets and asteroids, similar to the objects in our solar system.

The scientists, led by Dr. Sergei Nayakshin of the University of Leicester, publish their results in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Sergei Nayakshin, Sergey Sazonov, Rashid Sunyaev. Are SMBHs shrouded by 'super-Oort' clouds of comets and asteroids? Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2011; (submitted) [abstract] ...

NASA's Chandra Reveals New Star Generation Date: October 14, 2005 Source: Chandra X-ray Center Summary: NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory revealed a new generation of stars spawned by a super ...