Rocky planets might have been able to form in the early universe
The Small Magellanic Cloud is letting astronomers test how environment impacts planet formation
![The young star cluster NGC 346, shown as wispy clouds of dust and gas amidst a brilliant starry landscape](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/042123_AG_cosmic-noon-planets_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Rocky planets can form in environments similar to those of the early universe, like the young star cluster NGC 346 (seen in this image from the James Webb telescope) in the Small Magellanic Cloud.
Science: NASA, ESA, CSA, O.C. Jones/UK ATC, Guido De Marchi/ESTEC, Margaret Meixner/USRA; Image Processing: Alyssa Pagan/STScI, Nolan Habel/USRA, Laura Lenkić/USRA, Laurie E.U. Chu/NASA Ames