Astronomers spot potential first evidence of new planet being born

[Judi Lynn]

Researchers observe swirling disc around AB Aurigae star, suggesting new world is forming

PA Media
Wed 20 May 2020 08.00 EDTLast modified on Wed 20 May 2020 19.00 EDT



Exoplanets
Astronomers spot potential first evidence of new planet being born
Researchers observe swirling disc around AB Aurigae star, suggesting new world is forming

PA Media

Wed 20 May 2020 08.00 EDTLast modified on Wed 20 May 2020 19.00 EDT

The disc around the young AB Aurigae star shows a ‘twist’ marking the spot where a new planet is being formed.
The disc around the young AB Aurigae star shows a ‘twist’ marking the spot where a new planet is being formed. Photograph: ESO/PA
Astronomers believe they may have found the first direct evidence of a new planet being born.

A dense disc of dust and gas has been spotted surrounding a young star called AB Aurigae, about 520 light years away from Earth.

Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), located in Chile, the researchers observed a spiral structure with a “twist” near the centre, which suggests a new world may be in the process of forming. The swirling disc was one of the telltale signs of the star system being born in the constellation of Auriga, the scientists said.

Dr Anthony Boccaletti, who led the study from the Observatoire de Paris at the PSL University, in France, said: “Thousands of exoplanets have been identified so far, but little is known about how they form.”

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/may/20/astronomers-spot-likely-first-evidence-of-a-new-planet-being-born-ab-aurigae

[Eyeball_Kid]

1. These things take perhaps millions of years to have a different look.

So we can be impressed by the technology, but we shouldn't be waxing sentimental about watching a birth.

Besides, the scientists are watching something that occurred 520 years ago. 520 years from now, the cluster will probably not look different.