Young transiting planet reshapes theories of planetary formation

Young transiting planet reshapes theories of planetary formation
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 21, 2024

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers have uncovered a striking discovery: a planet named TIDYE-1b, just 3 million years old - the planetary equivalent of a two-week-old baby. This unprecedented find challenges existing models of planet formation, which suggest that planets take much longer to form. Unlike Earth, which took 10 to 20 million years to develop, TIDYE-1b emerged in only 3 million years and completes an orbit around its star approximately every week.

This discovery provides a rare and vital insight into the earliest phases of planet formation, establishing a new reference point for the age of transiting planets and advancing our comprehension of planetary systems outside our own.

"Astronomy helps us explore our place in the Universe - where we came from and where we might be going. Discovering planets like this one allows us to look back in time, catching a glimpse of planetary formation as it happens," said Madyson Barber, lead author of the study and researcher in the department of physics and astronomy at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The research team set out to examine how planets form and evolve by targeting planets at different stages of development. TIDYE-1b, the youngest transiting planet identified so far, offers an invaluable view of the conditions in a nascent planetary system. Its discovery highlights differences between our solar system and systems hosting close-in giant planets like TIDYE-1b, expanding our understanding of planetary diversity and dynamics.

This youthful planet is still embedded in its natal disk of material, providing a rare opportunity to study planet formation up close. Future research will delve into how the planet's atmosphere interacts with the surrounding disk material, offering clues about its orbital journey. Scientists will also explore whether TIDYE-1b is still accumulating material to grow larger or losing its upper atmosphere due to its proximity to its star.

"Planets typically form from a flat disk of dust and gas, which is why planets in our Solar System are aligned in a 'pancake-flat' arrangement. But here, the disk is tilted, misaligned with both the planet and its star - a surprising twist that challenges our current understanding of how planets form," said Andrew Mann, principal investigator of the Young Worlds Laboratory and associate professor of physics and astronomy at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The detection of TIDYE-1b was made possible through a specialized observation technique. Usually, planets as young as this are difficult to observe due to interference from the surrounding disk. However, the unique warped configuration of the star's disk created a rare observation window. The research team utilized a custom search algorithm, Notch, and advanced data processing from NASA's TESS mission to identify and confirm the planet's existence. Verification was achieved through a collaborative effort using various telescopes, ensuring the signal was indeed planetary.

Research Report:A giant planet transiting a 3-Myr protostar with a misaligned disk