Astronomers discover extremely young exoplanet
Astronomers discover extremely young exoplanet
Updated at: September 18, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Astronomers have achieved a groundbreaking discovery: the youngest exoplanet ever observed, named Elias 2-24 b.
Located 450 light-years away, this gas giant is estimated to be less than one million years old.
It orbits a young star surrounded by a protoplanetary disk of gas and dust.
What makes this discovery so remarkable is the planet's size—between two and four times the mass of Jupiter—and its extreme youth.
Current scientific models suggested it should take at least five million years for a planet of this magnitude to form.
By actively gathering material from its surroundings, Elias 2-24 b is challenging our understanding of planetary evolution.
Researchers made this discovery by using a coronagraph at the W.M.
Keck Observatory to block the host star's bright light, allowing them to image the faint newborn planet directly.
This international effort, involving data from multiple observatories including ALMA and the VLT, provides a rare look at a solar system in its infancy.
As the most extreme 'baby' planet found to date, Elias 2-24 b will likely force astronomers to rethink how planetary systems are born.
