News in Brief Astronomy

Swirling gases reveal baby planets in a young star’s disk

A new technique is more precise than relying on certain gaps that only hint at a planet

artist's illustration of an infant planet

PLANETARY NURSERY  This artist’s impression shows an infant planet as it swirls gas and dust around itself while orbiting a young star.

S. Dagnello, NRAO, AUI, NSF

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

Baby planets growing in a disk of gas and dust around an infant star have been identified and weighed for the first time.