Astronomers have discovered a new planet embedded in a young star system, providing strong evidence for the formation mechanism of gas giants. The planet, named WISPIT 2b, was detected using the SPHERE instrument on the VLT and is thought to be located in a cleared gap within the disk around its host star, WISPIT 2.
The discovery, made by an international team led by Richelle van Capelleveen from the Leiden Observatory, Netherlands, is significant as it marks the first unambiguous detection of an embedded planet since PDS 70’s planetary system in 2018. The team used a survey program called WISPIT to detect the planet and conducted follow-up observations with the SPHERE instrument and the MagAO-X telescope.
The discovery confirms that gas giants can form further away from their host stars, challenging previous theories about planet formation. The team’s findings have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of planet formation and will serve as a benchmark for models of planet formation and planet-disk interactions.
The WISPIT 2 system is unique in that it features a multi-ringed disk with a small inner cavity, which is thought to be a result of the planet clearing a path through the disk. The discovery provides unprecedented opportunities for scientists to study the physics of planet-forming disks and will likely have a significant impact on the field of astronomy.
Source: https://www.astronomie.nl/nieuws/en/discovery-of-the-first-ring-shaping-embedded-planet-around-a-young-solar-analog-4637