Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Newly Discovered Gas Giants Found in Young Star System

3/25/2026

47 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Astronomers have discovered two forming gas giant planets, WISPIT 2b and WISPIT 2c, orbiting the young star WISPIT 2 about 437 light-years away.
The system is about 5.4 million years old, far younger than the Sun.
Chloe Lawlor leads the University of Galway team, suggesting additional protoplanets may exist.
Future observations with the Extremely Large Telescope could reveal more about this planetary nursery.

1 of 1

Story summary

Astronomers have discovered two forming gas giant planets, WISPIT 2b and WISPIT 2c, orbiting the young star WISPIT 2 about 437 light-years away.
The system is about 5.4 million years old, far younger than the Sun.
Chloe Lawlor leads the University of Galway team, suggesting additional protoplanets may exist.
Future observations with the Extremely Large Telescope could reveal more about this planetary nursery.