Mysterious Star System Reveals Spiral Arms and Hidden Planet

A new study published in Nature Astronomy suggests that giant planets may be responsible for the formation of spiral arms in star systems. The researchers used a computer simulation to model how the gas giant exoplanet MWC 758c could have sculpted the protoplanetary disk in which it resides, stretching the surrounding gas into long arms. The redness of MWC 758c made it difficult to detect, but the team used a red-sensitive telescope to confirm its existence. The findings could help in the search for hidden planets in other stellar systems, with further observations planned using the James Webb Space Telescope.