Researchers from the **University of Monash** have detected **five extremely young planets**, still in the process of growth, using [an innovative technique](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/un-satelite-universitario-argentino-esta-cerca-de-ir-al-espacio/).
The findings are part of the international project **exoALMA** and have been published in 17 articles in the **Astrophysical Journal Letters**.
The study introduces a method that allows the detection of planets hidden by gas and dust, revealing **how solar systems form and evolve** in their early stages.
The technique that changes the search for planets
Traditionally, astronomers identify exoplanets by **detecting their direct light**, but the **exoALMA** project has developed a different approach:
- Instead of [**observing the planets**](https://noticiasambientales.com/innovacion/telescopio-en-el-mediterraneo-detecta-el-neutrino-mas-energetico-jamas-descubierto/), it analyzes **the effects they generate in their surroundings**.
- The comparison is like **seeing waves in a pond to detect a fish**, instead of looking for the fish itself.
*”This allows us to detect planets much younger than was previously possible,”* explained **Christophe Pinte**, lead researcher of the study.
Youthful planets in formation: fast and dynamic
Thanks to this new technique, scientists were able to identify planets only a few million years old, which is equivalent to **1,000 times less than the age of the Earth**.
One of the key findings is that **planets form in surprisingly short periods**, in **less than a few million years**, within **highly dynamic environments**, influenced by numerous physical mechanisms.
Impact on astronomy
This discovery opens up new possibilities for:
- Better understanding the evolution of young solar systems.
- Refining planetary formation models, improving the accuracy of existing theories.
- Detecting more exoplanets in the future, with technologies that explore still unknown regions.
The research of **exoALMA** marks a **key step in astronomical exploration**, providing unique information about **how planets are born and change over time**.
