Astronomers observing the young star TW Hydrae with the Hubble Space Telescope have made intriguing discoveries regarding its gas-and-dust disks. In 2017, a sweeping shadow was identified across the disks, caused by an inner disk of material slightly tilted relative to an outer disk, presumably influenced by the gravitational pull of unseen planets. This shadowing phenomenon indicates at least two nested disks, which seem to hint at planet formation. A subsequent observation in 2021 revealed a second shadow, suggesting a more complex system than initially thought. The gravitational forces from two unseen planets are likely causing the disks to misalign, creating a system that resembles early solar systems, including our own, which has orbital inclinations varying by a few degrees.
The shadows rotate around TW Hydrae, taking about 15 years for a full cycle, indicating their proximity to the star, roughly analogous to Jupiter’s distance from the sun. The outer disk shows a gap potentially indicative of a third planet. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of how planetary systems evolve, offering insight into conditions resembling those of our solar system during its formative years. Future observations may further clarify the existence and dynamics of these hidden planets.
