Team discovers Neptune-like planet forming in giant dust disk

Team discovers Neptune-like planet forming in giant dust disk
September 15, 2016
by Brett Smith

Using an array of radio telescopes in Chile, scientists have observed a planet being born from a giant dust disk 176 light years away, according to a new study published in Astrophysical Journal Letters.

The developing planet is believed to be a large ice planet, comparable to Uranus or Neptune in our Solar System.
In the 20 years since the first exoplanets were discovered, astronomers have found planetary systems do not really follow the same development as our own Solar System. There is great variety in the setup of planetary systems and a lot of debate on how this diversity comes out, including how icy giants form.

Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (Alma) in Chile, the study team took a close look at the TW Hydrae, which is a planet forming disc thought to be around 10 million years old. Thanks to its closeness and the fact that its axis of rotation points toward us, astronomers can get a good view of the planet.

Read more at http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113415844/icy-planet-forming-091516/#53IFoXHex3UlI86F.99