JWST Captures Unprecedented Glimpse of Planet Formation in the PDS 70 System

A new study led by University of Victoria Ph.D. candidate Dori Blakely, with key contributions from researchers at the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx), has used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to capture an unprecedented view of planet formation in the PDS 70 system. Center for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec researchers Prof. René Doyon, Dr. Loïc Albert, and Dr. David Lafrenière played a key role in developing the observational techniques behind this breakthrough.

A multi-wavelength view of the PDS 70 system reveals the dynamic interplay between its forming planets (PDS 70 b & c) and their surroundings. The red-yellow glow, based on JWST model data, reveals the growing planets and light scattered off tiny dust grains on the surface of the disk. These dust grains are so small they scatter light mostly forward, which is why we can’t see the far side of the disk. The faint blue ring, captured by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), highlights cooler emission from larger dust grains located throughout the disk. At the heart of the system is the hidden central star, while dashed circles mark the predicted locations of the planets based on earlier, ground-based observations. Credit: Dori Blakely (University of Victoria/NRC)

A Cosmic Construction Zone

PDS 70, only five million years old, hosts a disk of material encircling the young star. A prominent gap in the disk marks the location of two growing planets, PDS 70 b and PDS 70 c, which are actively gathering material to build their atmospheres and masses.

“We’re seeing snapshots of the early stages of planetary growth, showing us what happens as worlds compete for survival in their cosmic nursery,” said lead author Dori Blakely. “What’s remarkable is that we can see not just the planets themselves, but the very process of their formation — they’re competing with their star and each other for the gas and dust they need to grow.”

Using JWST’s Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) in Aperture Masking Interferometry (AMI) mode, the team obtained the clearest view yet of these planets and their surrounding structures.

“This innovative technique is like turning down the young star’s blinding spotlight so you can see the details of what’s around it — in this case, planets,” explained Prof. René Doyon, Principal Investigator for JWST’s NIRISS instrument.

“This work shows how JWST can do something completely new,” added Dr. Loïc Albert, JWST NIRISS Instrument Scientist. “We’re using innovative techniques to look at planets in ways we’ve never done before.”

Witnessing Planet Formation in Action

The observations provide evidence that both planets are still actively growing, and they revealed hints of circumplanetary disks—potential birthplaces for future moons. The strong detection signatures of PDS 70 b and PDS 70 c allowed for precise measurements of their brightness and location.

“These observations give us an incredible opportunity to witness planet formation as it happens,” said Doug Johnstone, Principal Research Officer at the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre. “Seeing planets in the act of accreting material helps us answer long-standing questions about how planetary systems form and evolve. It’s like watching a solar system being built before our very eyes.”

About this study

The study, part of the NIRISS Guaranteed Time Observations program led by Dr. Doug Johnstone, is published in The Astronomical Journal on February 12, 2025. The full article is available at https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ad9b94. The researchers acknowledge financial support from the Canadian Space Agency for this study.

About the Centre for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec

The Centre for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec (CRAQ) brings together all the astrophysicists in Quebec. Nearly 150 people, including some fifty researchers and their students from Université de Montréal, McGill University, Université Laval, Bishop’s University, Cégep de Sherbrooke, Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne and a number of other collaborating institutions are part of the cluster. The CRAQ is under the direction of David Lafrenière of the Université de Montréal. The CRAQ is one of the strategic clusters funded by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature and Technologies (FRQNT).

Source and information:
Frédérique Baron
Media Relations
Centre for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec
frederique.baron@umontreal.ca

A Cosmic Construction ZonePDS 70, only five million years old, hosts a disk of
material encircling the young star. A prominent gap in the disk marks the
location of two growing planets, PDS 70 b and PDS 70 c, which are actively
gathering material to build their atmospheres and masses. “We’re seeing snapshots of the early stages of
planetary growth, showing us what happens as worlds compete for survival in
their cosmic nursery,” said lead author Dori Blakely. “What’s
remarkable is that we can see not just the planets themselves, but the very
process of their formation — they’re competing with their star and each other
for the gas and dust they need to grow.”Using JWST’s Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph
(NIRISS) in Aperture Masking Interferometry (AMI) mode, the team obtained the
clearest view yet of these planets and their surrounding structures.”This innovative technique is like turning down the
young star’s blinding spotlight so you can see the details of what’s around it
— in this case, planets,” explained Prof. René Doyon, Principal
Investigator for JWST’s NIRISS instrument.”This work shows how JWST can do something completely
new,” added Dr. Loïc Albert, JWST NIRISS Instrument Scientist. “We’re
using innovative techniques to look at planets in ways we’ve never done
before.” Witnessing Planet Formation in ActionThe observations provide evidence that both planets are
still actively growing, and they revealed hints of circumplanetary
disks—potential birthplaces for future moons. The strong detection signatures
of PDS 70 b and PDS 70 c allowed for precise measurements of their brightness
and location. “These observations give us an incredible opportunity
to witness planet formation as it happens,” said Doug Johnstone, Principal
Research Officer at the National Research Council of Canada’s (NRC) Herzberg
Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre. “Seeing planets in the act of
accreting material helps us answer long-standing questions about how planetary
systems form and evolve. It’s like watching a solar system being built before
our very eyes.” About this studyThe study, part of the NIRISS Guaranteed Time Observations
program led by Dr. Doug Johnstone, is published in The Astronomical Journal on
February 12, 2025. The full article is available at
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ad9b94. The researchers
acknowledge financial support from the Canadian Space Agency for this study.

About the Centre for Research in Astrophysics of QuebecThe Centre for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec (CRAQ) brings
together all the astrophysicists in Quebec. Nearly 150 people, including some
fifty researchers and their students from Université de Montréal, McGill
University, Université Laval, Bishop’s University, Cégep de Sherbrooke, Collège
de Bois-de-Boulogne and a number of other collaborating institutions are part
of the cluster. The CRAQ is under the direction of David Lafrenière of the
Université de Montréal. The CRAQ is one of the strategic clusters funded by the
Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature and Technologies (FRQNT).Source and information:
Frédérique Baron
Media Relations
Centre for Research in Astrophysics of Quebec
frederique.baron@umontreal.ca

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