20150817 - young jupiter

This is an artistic conception of the Jupiter-like exoplanet 51 Eridani b, with the hot layers deep in its atmosphere glowing through the clouds. Because of its young age, this cousin of our own Jupiter is still hot and carries information on the way it was formed 20 million years ago.

Credit: Danielle Futselaar and Franck Marchis, SETI Institute

Astronomers discover 'young Jupiter' exoplanet

Helps illuminate how solar systems form

Date:

August 13, 2015

Source:

Stanford University

Summary:

One of the best ways to learn how our solar system evolved is to look to younger star systems in the early stages of development. Now, a team of astronomers has discovered a Jupiter-like planet within a young system that could serve as a decoder ring for understanding how planets formed around our sun. The first planet detected by the Gemini Planet Imager is 100 light-years away but shares many of the characteristics of an early Jupiter. 

 

 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150813142532.htm