Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

First Image Captures Planet Formation Around AB Aurigae

9/25/2025

42 10

Summary

Story summary

The first direct photo shows AB Aurigae b forming in a dusty ring around star WISPIT 2.
The planet is about four Jupiter masses and 93 AU from its star, actively accreting.
The finding challenges formation models, suggesting rapid disk collapse over core accretion.
Adaptive optics, including MagAO-X, helped detect hydrogen emissions signaling accretion.

1 of 1

Story summary

The first direct photo shows AB Aurigae b forming in a dusty ring around star WISPIT 2.
The planet is about four Jupiter masses and 93 AU from its star, actively accreting.
The finding challenges formation models, suggesting rapid disk collapse over core accretion.
Adaptive optics, including MagAO-X, helped detect hydrogen emissions signaling accretion.