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Protoplanets are the embryonic stages of planet formation in a solar system. They represent an early phase where a large body of matter begins to form around a newly igniting star. Imagine the protoplanet like a growing child on its way to becoming a full-fledged adult, or in this case, a planet.
As they orbit their star, protoplanets lack many of the distinguishing characteristics of fully developed planets. These bodies are typically a collection of rock and dust that stick together over time. This sticky gathering happens due to gravity pulling matter together.
Protoplanets continue to grow as they attract more material, but they're not yet massive enough to clear their orbits of other debris, which is a key feature of fully formed planets.

The accretion process is a fundamental component of planet formation. It refers to how particles in a protoplanetary disk gradually stick together and coalesce to form larger bodies. Think about rolling a snowball downhill; it gathers more snow and grows larger. Similarly, as dust and rock particles collide, they "stick" together, thanks to forces like electrostatic attraction and gravity.
The journey from a smeared disk of dust and gas to a fully formed planet is dictated by accretion. Here’s how it unfolds:

• Small dust particles colliding and forming into clumps.
• Clumps merging into larger bodies known as planetesimals.
• Planetesimals further combining to create protoplanets.

This gradual growth continues until the body becomes a planet, having enough mass to clear its orbital path of other debris.

A celestial body is any natural object outside Earth’s atmosphere. This broad term encompasses an array of entities, including stars, planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. In the context of planet formation, celestial bodies start as tiny particles in a protoplanetary disk that eventually form planets and other larger structures.
Celestial bodies can exist in various forms throughout their lifecycle. From the tiniest particles, they can evolve into massive, shining stars or monumental planets.
When you hear about planets like Earth, Jupiter, or Mars, or even moons like Europa or Titan, these are examples of celestial bodies. They are significant parts of the cosmic tapestry, contributing to the complexities and beauty of our universe.