Planetary formation occurs in a protoplanetary disk, a rotating disk of gas and dust surrounding a young star, such as our Sun. Over time, particles collide and stick together, forming larger bodies called planetesimals. These planetesimals continue to collide and merge, eventually forming planets. As the planets grow, their gravity attracts more material, leading to the accumulation of gas and dust. This process can take millions of years. The result is a diverse range of planets, including rocky ones like Earth and gas giants like Jupiter, each with unique characteristics shaped by their formation history.