Young Sun Reveals Rare Glimpse of Planet Birth
Astronomers have captured a rare image of a planet still in the process of forming around a young star remarkably similar to our own Sun. The discovery, made possible by observations in both infrared and visible light, offers a unique window into the early stages of planet formation. Researchers quickly requested additional observations after the initial detection, recognizing the significance of the find.
This marks only the second confirmed detection of a planet at this early stage of development around a star akin to our Sun; the first was identified in 2018 by a team including Dr. Christian ginski. The newly discovered planet, designated WISPIT 2b, was initially observed glowing with residual heat from its formation, visible through near-infrared imaging - similar to what night-vision goggles reveal.
A team from leiden University and the University of Galway secured a clear image of WISPIT 2b embedded within a gap in the surrounding disk of dust and gas. Further analysis confirmed the planet is actively orbiting its host star. Observations from the University of Arizona, utilizing a specialized instrument, revealed that WISPIT 2b is still actively gathering gas, a crucial step in building its atmosphere.
These swirling disks of dust and gas around young stars are the nurseries where planets are born. Frequently enough exhibiting complex structures like rings and spiral arms, these features are believed to be shaped by the gravitational influence of forming planets. The disk surrounding WISPIT 2b is vast, extending outwards for 380 astronomical units – 380 times the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
The research was spearheaded by Richelle van Capelleveen, a PhD student at Leiden University, and co-led by a graduate student team at the University of Galway. Dr. Ginski and three astrophysics graduate students from the University of Galway also contributed to the findings.
“Discovering this planet was an amazing experience - we were incredibly lucky,” said van Capelleveen.
Chloe Lawlor, a PhD student at the University of Galway, expressed her excitement, stating, “I feel incredibly blessed to be involved in such an exciting and perhaps career-defining discovery. WISPIT 2b is a beautiful example that will help us refine our understanding of how planets form, and this work is certain to become a landmark study.”
MSc students Jake Byrne and Dan McLachlan, also from the University of galway, echoed this sentiment. Byrne described the initial image as “remarkable,” anticipating it will “spark discussion within the research community.” mclachlan added, “It was such a mind-blowing thing to be a part of, and I’m grateful to the University of Galway physics department and Dr. Ginski for this incredible chance.”