Science
Astronomers identify Elias 2-24b as youngest directly confirmed exoplanet
Wired reports that researchers confirmed a planet under one million years old, challenging standard formation models.
The short version
- A research team led by Andrea Bernardi confirmed that a light source in a stellar disk void is a planet gravitationally bound to Elias 2-24.[Wired]
- Estimated to be less than 1 million years old, Elias 2-24b is the youngest directly observed exoplanet confirmed to date.[Wired]
- Located 450 light-years away and spanning an orbit of 55 astronomical units, the planet has an estimated mass up to 1.9 to 4.0 times that of Jupiter.[Wired]
- Researchers note the finding indicates prevailing core accretion models may still lack key mechanisms needed to explain rapid planet formation at wide distances.[Wired]
Key facts
- Researchers compared positional observations from 2018 and 2020 at the W.M. Keck Observatory to confirm Elias 2-24b is gravitationally bound to its star.[Wired]
- Elias 2-24b is estimated to be under 1 million years old, eclipsing previously observed record-holders orbiting PDS 70 and WISPIT 2 that exceed 5 million years of age.[Wired]
- The exoplanet is located about 450 light-years away, orbits at roughly 55 astronomical units, and has an estimated mass 1.9 to 4.0 times that of Jupiter.[Wired]
What remains uncertain
- Researchers note that prevailing core accretion models do not fully explain how a planet this massive could form so rapidly and far from its host star.[Wired]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.