Astronomers find new link between water and planet formation

Water vapour discovered in the disc is shown in shades of blue (ALMA/ESO/NAOJ/NRAO/S Facchini et al/PA)

Astronomers have found water in the disc around a young star where planets may be forming, revealing a new link between the key ingredient for life and planet formation.

Until now, researchers had not been able to map how water is distributed in a stable, cool disc – the type of disc that offers the best conditions for planets to form around stars.