For the first time in history, astronomers have captured a direct image of a planet in its infancy, a momentous achievement in the field of exoplanet research. This groundbreaking discovery, published in *The Astrophysical Journal Letters*, reveals a young planet actively growing within a dusty ring encircling its host star.
The team, led by University of Arizona astronomer Laird Close and Richelle van Capelleveen of Leiden Observatory, utilized cutting-edge adaptive optics technology. This technology, crucial for overcoming atmospheric distortion, allowed them to observe the planet's glowing hydrogen gas as it accretes onto the infant world, effectively capturing the planet 'mid-birth'. The observations were made using advanced instruments including the University of Arizona’s MagAO-X system at the Magellan Telescope in Chile, the Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona, and the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile.
The planet, designated WISPIT 2b, resides within a distinct gap in a multi-ringed disk of dust and gas surrounding its star, WISPIT 2. This location within a previously unexplained gap in the protoplanetary disk is significant. Many such gaps have been observed, leading to theoretical suggestions of hidden planets clearing paths in the dust and gas. However, until now, confirming the presence of a planet within these gaps has been elusive.
The team specifically searched for hydrogen alpha (H-alpha) emission, a telltale sign of hydrogen gas falling onto the young planet. As this gas collides with the planet's surface, it generates extremely hot plasma, emitting a characteristic H-alpha light signature easily detectable by MagAO-X. The planet 'jumped out' from the images once the adaptive optics were engaged, confirming its existence and revealing its developmental stage.
WISPIT 2b, estimated to be about five Jupiter masses, provides a rare glimpse into planet formation. Its mass was inferred from thermal infrared light observations made by the Large Binocular Telescope. A second candidate planet, CC1, with an estimated nine Jupiter masses, was also detected in the system. The researchers compared this observation to the early stages of our own solar system, suggesting a similarity in appearance despite differences in mass and spacing.
This discovery challenges previous assumptions and significantly advances our understanding of planet formation. The successful detection of WISPIT 2b within the gap, using the specially optimized H-alpha wavelength detection of MagAO-X, offers compelling evidence that such gaps are indeed created by protoplanets. The research opens new avenues for discovering and studying similar young planets hidden within the enigmatic gaps of protoplanetary disks.
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Originally published at: https://scitechdaily.com/astronomers-capture-first-ever-photo-of-a-baby-planet-being-born-in-darkness/
