K2-33 b

June 22, 2016

rendering of small planet orbiting a sun — Download new_planet.jpg

K2-33 b, shown in this illustration, is one of the youngest exoplanets detected to date and makes a complete orbit around its star in about five days. These two characteristics combined provide new constraints for planet formation theories. K2-33 b could have formed farther out and quickly migrated inward. Alternatively, it could have formed in situ, or in place.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt

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K2-33 System

MEarth Array Confirms Youngest Transiting Exoplanet