Protoplanets around Vega. Artwork of countless rocky bodies or protoplanets in orbit around the star Vega (Alpha Lyrae). The star's light is visible as rays through the dense material. Planetary systems are thought to form from the gradual agglomeration of smaller bodies. One large spherical body is seen at lower right. Vega is a large white star which lies around 26 light years from Earth in the constellation Lyra.