Astronomers Spot Evidence for Colliding Planet Embryos in Famous Star Cluster

MICHELLE mid-infrared spectrum of HD 23514 obtained on the Gemini North telescope. For comparison, the mid-infrared, (dotted-line) spectrum of another dusty star BD +20 307 is also reproduced. Both reveal the presence of warm dust. HD 23514 has the warmer dust, reflected by its more "blue shifted" bump. For young stars and debris disks, the most prominent spectral feature in the N-band is silicate emission.