ALMA captures first direct image of a protoplanet in swirling gas

An international team has obtained the first direct image of a protoplanet forming in a gas and dust disk about 430 light-years from Earth. The ALMA observatory in Chile imaged WISPIT 2b, roughly five Jupiter masses at 57 AU from its star, while inner companion WISPIT 2c, at 15 AU, is estimated at 8–12 Jupiter masses.

• WISPIT 2b lies 430 light-years away and is about 5 Jupiter masses
• WISPIT 2b orbits at 57 AU, WISPIT 2c at 15 AU from the star
• WISPIT 2c carved a cavity in the disk, WISPIT 2b a gap
• Image taken with ALMA's 66 radio dishes in northern Chile