University of Galway Archives

Image of a dusty disk around a young star. Among the multiple concentric rings we see a small dot of light (indicated by a white circle). This is an image of a new-born planet, likely a gas giant similar to Jupiter in our own solar system but about 5 times more massive. These observations were taken with the ESO Very Large Telescope in near-infrared light. Credit: C. Ginski/R. van Capelleveen et al.

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release

Unexpected Discovery Of A Planet Forming Around A Young Star

by Keith CowingAugust 27, 2025

An international team of astronomers, co-led by researchers at University of Galway, has made the unexpected discovery of a new planet.

Close-up of the star RIK 113, seen here surrounded by a cloud of gas and dust called a protoplanetary disc. These discs are a common feature around young stars, containing all the building blocks needed to make a new planet. Over time, these dusty discs will fragment and condense under the influence of gravity, forming larger objects like protoplanets. These planetary embryos carve out gaps in the dust around them, forming the intricate, ring-like structures that we can see in this disc. -- ESO

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release

RIK 113: The Likely Site Of A New Planet Forming

by Keith CowingJune 10, 2025June 10, 2025

An international team of astronomers led by University of Galway, has discovered the likely site of a new planet in formation, most likely a gas giant planet up to a […]

University of Galway

Unexpected Discovery Of A Planet Forming Around A Young Star

RIK 113: The Likely Site Of A New Planet Forming

How A Deep-sea Protein Adapts To An Extreme Environment

Fingerprints Inside Our Sun Could Reveal If It Once Swallowed A Planet

Climates Of Gl 514 b

Cosmic Radiation at Flight Altitudes Rises When the Sun Is Less Active

The History Of Enzyme Evolution Embedded In Metabolism