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Newfound ‘Baby’ Planet Smashes Record for Youngest Known World

Elias 2-24 b is now confirmed as Earth's youngest known world.

Newfound ‘Baby’ Planet Smashes Record for Youngest Known World

A team of astronomers has officially identified Elias 2-24 b as the youngest known planet discovered to date, confirming its age at under one million years. The newly recognized celestial body continues to orbit within the swirling disc of gas and dust surrounding its star system. Data utilized in this confirmation stems from extensive NASA-funded archival records, providing crucial insights into planetary formation processes. Scientists previously faced challenges explaining the existence of older young planets based on current planet-formation models. This discovery represents a significant advancement in our understanding of how planets emerge during the early stages of stellar systems’ development.


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