The youngest exoplanet ever discovered orbiting a growing protostar
A gas giant exoplanet estimated to be just 3 million years old has been identified by researchers as one of the youngest planets ever observed. The planet, named TIDYE-1b, orbits a protostar located in the Taurus molecular cloud, about 520 light-years from Earth. Scientists have described this discovery as a rare opportunity to investigate planetary formation in its earliest stages. The findings, published Nov. 20 in the journal Nature, highlight the special dynamics of this exoplanet’s environment, including a tilted protoplanetary disk.
Details of the discovery
The study reveals that TIDYE-1b is a gas giant with a diameter slightly smaller than that of Jupiter and a mass about 40 percent that of the largest planet in our solar system. The exoplanet orbits its protostar every 8.8 days, which is remarkably close for such a young planet. According to the research team, led by Madyson Barber, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this discovery provides insight into the rapid formation of gas giants, which contrasts with the slower formation of terrestrial planets like Earth. in a statement.
A misaligned protoplanetary disk
The exoplanet’s host star is surrounded by a protoplanetary disk that is inclined at about 60 degrees to the planet and its star. This unexpected alignment challenges current theories of planetary formation. Andrew Mann, planetary scientist and co-author of the study, in a statement said such a misalignment is unusual because planets typically form within flat, aligned disks of gas and dust.
Possible explanations and future research
The misalignment could be influenced by a distant companion star orbiting the protostar at a speed of about 635 astronomical units, as shown in the replay. However, researchers have noted that the distance of the companion star makes its impact on the disk’s tilt uncertain. Future research aims to investigate whether TIDYE-1b continues to accumulate material from the disk or loses its atmosphere due to its close orbit around the protostar.
This study marks an important milestone in understanding planetary formation and provides a glimpse into the early stages of celestial evolution.
