In a new discovery in space, astronomers took an “exciting” step forward in understanding how planets are formed, after a new giant planet was detected orbiting an infant sun last month. This will also allow for astronomers to have a better grasp on the chemical makeup of these giant planets — how much oxygen or methane is on the planet, which will overall provide information on signs of life.” Giant planets, like Jupiter, were thought to be unable to form so close to a star due to the lack of suitable material there, she explained. “Our discovery reveals that a giant planet can not only form quickly, but also end up extremely close to its sun soon after the star itself is born,” Hébrard said. The giant planet had been found in the first two months of observation, as it orbited around its host star at a distance only one-20th of the distance between the Sun to the Earth.

Source: thestar July 03, 2016 01:25 UTC