Astronomers Discovered Infant Planet Near Young Star
The planet Elias 2-24 b, located 450 light years away, is less than one million years old.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Space
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Astronomers have identified a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting the star Elias 2-24, located 450 light years from Earth. The planet, named Elias 2-24 b, is estimated to be less than one million years old, challenging previous theories about planet formation timelines.
Why it matters
This discovery serves as a vital natural laboratory for observing the earliest stages of planetary development. It contradicts previous records, which suggested that such massive planets were at least 5 million years old.
The star Elias 2-24 is estimated to be between 200,000 and 400,000 years old. The orbiting planet resides 11 times farther from its host star than Jupiter is from the Sun.
The players
Elias 2-24
This is a young star system located 450 light years from Earth that serves as the host for the newly discovered infant planet.
Keck Observatory
Located in Hawaii, this research facility provided the archival data used by scientists to identify the planet.
ALMA Observatory
Situated in Chile, this major astronomical facility was used to identify the planet within the star's disk gap.
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
This space observatory was launched in late August 2026 to enhance the detection of infant planets.
The details
Researchers utilized archival data from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii, collected between 2018 and 2020, alongside new observations from the ALMA observatory in Chile. The planet was identified within a disk gap, providing evidence that massive worlds can form much earlier in a star's lifecycle than previously thought.
Timeline
Archival observations were gathered at the Keck Observatory between 2018 and 2020.
The study was published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on September 16, 2026.
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope achieved first light on September 17, 2026.
Deeper Dive
This discovery marks a significant departure from the established 5 million-year age threshold for giant planet formation. It forces a theoretical shift by proving that massive planets can reach their size in less than one million years.
This research provides a new foundation for understanding how solar systems evolve over time. Future observations will utilize advanced technology like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to map the birth of other infant worlds.
The takeaway
This discovery demonstrates that planetary systems can evolve far more rapidly than our previous models assumed. Scientists now look to new space telescopes to determine how many other young stars harbor similar infant planets.
Further reading
Learn more about recent breakthroughs in our galaxy by visiting the Space section.
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