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Faint new planet is revealed around a young star after a decade in hiding
By AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 15, 2026
· 3 min read
Astronomers have discovered a faint, elusive planet orbiting a young star after more than a decade of cosmic hide-and-seek.In an unusual twist, two groups working independently detected the cold gas giant a few days apart late last year using different telescopes. It's the dimmest planet ever dir...
Key takeaway "It was very much playing hide-and-seek for 11 years," said the European Southern Observatory's Markus Bonse, co-leader of the first team.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The discovery of the faint planet orbiting Beta Pictoris has significant implications for the local astronomy community in Nashville . As home to Vanderbilt University's Department of Physics and Astronomy, Nashville has a strong presence of researchers and students interested in planetary science. The use of NASA's Webb Space Telescope in this discovery is particularly noteworthy, given the agency's significant presence in the region. The findings of the two independent teams also highlight the importance of international collaboration in advancing our understanding of the universe. For local astronomy enthusiasts, the discovery of this planet offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the formation of planetary systems and the potential for life beyond our solar system. As the city's astronomy community continues to grow, discoveries like this one are likely to inspire new generations of researchers and scientists in Nashville.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 15, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Astronomers have discovered a faint, elusive planet orbiting a young star after more than a decade of cosmic hide-and-seek.In an unusual twist, two groups working independently detected the cold gas giant a few days apart late last year using different telescopes. It's the dimmest planet ever dir...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 15, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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