Irish astronomers involved in 'remarkable discovery' of new planet

A dusty disk around a young star. Among the multiple concentric rings we see a small dot of light (indicated by a white circle). This is an image of a new-born planet, likely a gas giant similar to Jupiter in our own solar system. Picture: C. Ginski/R. van Capelleveen et al/PA Wire 

The unexpected detection of a new planet has been hailed as a “remarkable discovery” by Irish astronomers who were involved in its identification.

The newly spotted planet, named WISPIT 2b, is estimated to be about five million years old and most likely a gas giant of similar size to Jupiter.