Meet the Youngest Planet in Our Universe NASA Reveals Rare Glimpse of Newborn Planet A team of astronomers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has discovered a planet that is only 3 million years old, making it the youngest planet discovered so far. The planet, which is still glowing from the heat of its formation, is located approximately 430 light years away. The discovery was made possible by NASA's advanced technology, which allowed scientists to capture a rare glimpse of the newborn planet. According to the research team, the planet is still in its early stages of development and is expected to continue evolving over time. Age: 3 million years old Distance: 430 light years away Temperature: Still glowing from the heat of its formation, making it too hot to visit currently. The discovery of this newborn planet provides scientists with a unique opportunity to study the early stages of planetary development. As the planet continues to evolve, researchers will be able to gain valuable insights into the formation and evolution of planets in our universe. Newborn Planet is a term used to describe a celestial body that has recently formed or is in the process of forming. This phenomenon occurs when a massive cloud of gas and dust collapses under its own gravity, leading to the creation of a new star system. Background The concept of Newborn Planets has gained significant attention in recent years due to advances in astronomical observations and theoretical models. The study of these objects provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems, as well as the potential for life beyond Earth. Characteristics Newborn Planets are typically characterized by their high energy output, intense magnetic activity, and strong stellar winds. They often have large protoplanetary disks, which are the precursors to planetary formation. Observational Evidence Astronomers use a variety of observational techniques to detect Newborn Planets, including spectroscopy, photometry, and interferometry. These methods allow researchers to study the properties of these objects in detail, such as their masses, radii, and atmospheric compositions. Meet the Youngest Planet in Our Universe Discovery Date: February 2020 Location: Constellation of Scorpius, approximately 400 light-years from Earth Age: Approximately 1.5 million years old (less than 0.03% the age of our Sun) Type: Gas giant, similar in size and mass to Jupiter The youngest planet discovered in our universe is a gas giant located in the constellation of Scorpius. With an estimated age of approximately 1.5 million years old, this young world is still in its formative stages. Discovered by a team of astronomers using data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope in Chile, this planet is remarkable not only for its youth but also for its unique characteristics. Located about 400 light-years from Earth, it orbits a young star with a mass similar to that of our Sun. Unique Features: This planet is still surrounded by a protoplanetary disk, a swirling cloud of gas and dust from which planets form. The presence of this disk suggests that the planet may still be growing in size. Significance: The discovery of this young planet provides astronomers with a rare opportunity to study planetary formation processes. It also opens new avenues for understanding the early stages of solar system development. Q1: What is the youngest planet in our universe? The youngest planet in our universe is K2-33b, a hot Jupiter exoplanet that orbits a young star located about 400 light-years from Earth. Q2: How old is the youngest planet? K2-33b is estimated to be around 5 million years old, making it one of the youngest planets ever discovered. Q3: What makes K2-33b unique? K2-33b is a hot Jupiter that orbits a young star with a mass similar to that of our Sun, making it an interesting object for study in the field of exoplanetary science. Q4: Where is K2-33b located? K2-33b is located in the Scorpius constellation, approximately 400 light-years from Earth. Q5: How was K2-33b discovered? K2-33b was discovered using data from NASA's Kepler space telescope and follow-up observations with other telescopes. Q6: What is the size of K2-33b? K2-33b has a radius about 5 times that of our own Jupiter, making it a gas giant planet. Q7: How long does it take K2-33b to orbit its star? K2-33b orbits its star every 10.1 Earth days. Q8: Is K2-33b habitable? No, due to its extremely high surface temperature and intense radiation from its young host star, K2-33b is not considered a habitable planet. Q9: What can we learn from studying K2-33b? Studying K2-33b provides insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems, particularly those with young stars and gas giant planets. Q10: Will we continue to study K2-33b? Yes, scientists will likely continue to observe K2-33b with future telescopes and space missions to gain further insights into its properties and behavior. Rank Pioneer/Company Contribution Description 1 NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) Discovery of LHS 475 b, the youngest exoplanet TESS discovered a hot super-Earth orbiting a young star in the constellation of Octans. 2 University of Texas at Austin's Dr. Brendan Bowler Confirmation of LHS 475 b's youthfulness Dr. Bowler led the team that confirmed the exoplanet's age using spectrographic analysis. 3 European Southern Observatory (ESO) Imaging of young exoplanets with SPHERE instrument ESO's Very Large Telescope used the SPHERE instrument to directly image young exoplanets, including PDS 70 b. 4 University of California, Berkeley's Dr. Paul Kalas Discovery of Fomalhaut b, one of the first directly imaged exoplanets Dr. Kalas led the team that discovered the young exoplanet Fomalhaut b in 2008. 5 Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics' Dr. David Charbonneau Pioneering work on transiting exoplanets Dr. Charbonneau's research has focused on detecting and characterizing young transiting exoplanets. 6 NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope Observations of young exoplanet atmospheres The Spitzer telescope has made numerous observations of the atmospheres of young exoplanets, providing insights into their composition. 7 University of Arizona's Dr. Beth Biller Study of young exoplanet demographics Dr. Biller has researched the occurrence rates and properties of young exoplanets, shedding light on their formation mechanisms. 8 Max Planck Institute for Astronomy's Dr. Thomas Henning Investigations into the formation of young exoplanets Dr. Henning has explored the processes governing the formation and early evolution of planetary systems. 9 University of Oxford's Dr. Kate Isaak Research on young exoplanet atmospheres and climates Dr. Isaak has focused on understanding the atmospheric properties and potential habitability of young exoplanets. 10 NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Forthcoming observations of young exoplanet atmospheres JWST, set to launch in 2023, will study the atmospheres of young exoplanets with unprecedented precision and detail. Planet Designation 2M1207b Age Estimated to be around 10 million years old, making it the youngest planet discovered so far in our universe. Location Located approximately 170 light-years from Earth in the constellation Hydra. Orbital Characteristics Orbits a young brown dwarf star (2M1207) at a distance of about 40 astronomical units (AU), which is much farther away from its star than Pluto is from the Sun. Mass Estimated to be around 5 times the mass of Jupiter, making it a gas giant planet. Radius Projected radius is approximately 1.5 times that of Jupiter. Surface Gravity Estimated surface gravity is about 4-6 times stronger than Jupiter's, due to its larger mass and smaller radius. Atmospheric Composition Expected to have a primarily hydrogen-helium atmosphere, similar to gas giants in our solar system, but with potential differences due to its unique formation environment. Discovery Method Discovered using the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Hubble Space Telescope, through direct imaging and spectroscopy techniques. Year of Discovery 2004 Notable Features Its extremely young age, large mass, and distant orbit make it an interesting subject for studying planetary formation and early development.