For the first time, astronomers now see a new planet being formed. Scientists at PSL University in France have used the VLT telescopes to capture images of the formation of a new planet near the star AB Aurigae about 250 light-years away from Earth.
Surrounding the star is a spiral disk of gas and dust. The scientists say this is a sign that planetesimals have formed and are plowing their way through the cloud of dust and gas, similar to when a sailing boat creates ripples on the surface of water.
A knot reveals the beginning
Inside the spiral, the scientists have detected a small knot where the dust is very dense, and there they believe that a new indicator that a planet is being formed.
The distance from the star is about 4.5 billion kilometers or similar to the distance from the Sun to Neptune.
Increases understanding of our solar system
This new discovery can increase people’s understanding of how dust and gas condense into planets, and also how planets that have already formed can play a role in the formation of new ones. It is also accompanied by increased knowledge of how the planets in our solar system were formed.
Now the scientists are looking forward to looking at this planet indicator in the ELT (Extra Large Telescope) that ESO is currently building in Chile and is due to come into use in 2025. Then more details will be seen than can be detected with the VLT.
