Astronomers find young exoplanet forming in just 3 million years, challenging existing theories

Astronomers have discovered a young exoplanet that formed in just 3 million years, significantly faster than the 10-20 million years estimated for Earth's formation. This planet, 10-20 times the mass of Earth, challenges existing theories on planetary development. The exoplanet orbits a star located 520 light-years away, which is still surrounded by a disk of gas and dust. This finding suggests that planets can form much more quickly than previously believed, providing new insights into how planetary systems evolve. The study, led by Madyson Barber from the University of North Carolina, highlights the rapid formation process and adds to the growing list of exoplanets discovered outside our solar system. Researchers aim to refine models of planetary evolution based on this discovery.