---
title: "Astronomers Confirm Elias 2-24 b as Youngest Known Exoplanet"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/tech/astronomers-confirm-elias-2-24-b-as-youngest-known-exoplanet"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/astronomers-confirm-elias-2-24-b-as-youngest-known-exoplanet"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/tech/astronomers-confirm-elias-2-24-b-as-youngest-known-exoplanet.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/astronomers-confirm-elias-2-24-b-as-youngest-known-exoplanet"
category: "Science & Tech"
published: "2026-09-17T15:45:26.506Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-17T15:00:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-17T15:45:26.506Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-18T16:45:29.022436+00:00"
---

# Astronomers Confirm Elias 2-24 b as Youngest Known Exoplanet

*A Jupiter-sized planet less than one million years old is challenging current theories of planet formation.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named bodies, with two independent outlets and a named source.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Includes quotes from affected parties, explains why it matters, and separates fact from comment.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises a significant discovery, but the body of the text is measured.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Elias 2-24 b has been confirmed as the youngest exoplanet known, with an age under one million years.
- The planet is approximately Jupiter-sized and orbits its star at a distance 10 times greater than Jupiter orbits the Sun.
- Elias 2-24 b is still within its natal disk of dust and gas, indicating it is actively forming.
- This discovery challenges existing models of planet formation, particularly concerning the rapid creation of giant planets far from their host stars.

Astronomers have identified Elias 2-24 b as the youngest exoplanet discovered, with an age of less than one million years. This Jupiter-sized world is situated approximately 450 light-years from Earth and remains embedded within its natal disk of dust and gas, suggesting it is still in the process of formation. The discovery challenges current theories regarding the rapid formation of giant planets at significant distances from their stars.

## Disagreement on planet's orbital distance

Mashable reports that Elias 2-24 b orbits its star 10 times farther than Jupiter circles the Sun. In contrast, the digest from Merca2.es states the planet is within its home album, and the digest from scinexx.de notes its location in a conspicuous gap. The digest from Boing Boing states the planet orbits a star 453 light-years from Earth, while Mashable states it is 450 light-years away.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports mention the specific distance of 453 light-years from Earth that was reported in the digest from Boing Boing.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 16 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 38% (6)
- Centre: 43% (7)
- Right: 19% (3)

26 of 42 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-18T16:45:29.022436+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 102 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-18T17:30:12.136Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports highlighted the discovery of the youngest exoplanet, Elias 2-24 b, and its age of less than one million years. Both Mashable and Boing Boing noted that the planet is still within its natal disk of dust and gas. Mashable's full report detailed the use of NASA-funded archives from the W. M. Keck Observatory's coronagraph to confirm the detection, quoting Lucas Cieza on the galaxy churning out new stars and planets and Andrea Bernardi on the planet's behaviour. Mashable also discussed future telescopes like NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports focused on Elias 2-24 b being the youngest known planet, with an age under one million years, and its implications for planet-formation models. Phys.org and NASA Science reported that the planet is still whirling in its natal disk of dust and gas, quoting Lucas Cieza on the struggle of current models to explain previous record holders and Andrea Bernardi on the planet being found within gaps it carves. Science Daily noted the planet's surprisingly rapid formation challenges leading theories. Space.com mentioned the "newborn" world was spotted in old data archives.

### Right

- The single right-rated report, a digest from Kronen Zeitung, stated that astronomers confirmed a celestial body less than a million years old as the most recent known planet. It noted that Elias 2-24 b is still swirling around in its birth-related dust and gas disk, using data from archives funded by NASA.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 1
- mixed: 1
- high: 9
- unknown: 25
- veryHigh: 6

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Space Daily](https://spacedaily.com/t-elias-2-24-b-youngest-jupiter-planet-55-au) — A planet roughly as massive as Jupiter was already growing around Elias 2-24 before the system reached one million years old—even though current models require about five million years to build a Jupiter at Jupiter’s distance, and this planet sits roughly ten times farther out.
- [techgear.gr](https://techgear.gr/elias-2-24-b-anakalyfthike-o-neoteros-exoplanitis-ilikias-kato-toy-enos-ekatommyrioy-eton-50571) — Elias 2-24 B: The Youngest Exoplanet Discovered, Less than a Million Years Old
- [Actualno.com](https://actualno.com/cosmos/ucheni-otkriha-naj-mladata-planeta-v-mlechnija-pyt-news_2640887.html) — Scientists Discover Youngest Planet in Milky Way
- [Heise](https://heise.de/news/Laut-Theorien-unmoeglich-Mit-Abstand-juengster-Exoplanet-gefunden-11457937.html) — According to Theories Impossible: By Far the Youngest Exoplanet Found
- [interia.pl](https://geekweek.interia.pl/nauka/news-elias-2-24-b-to-kosmiczny-noworodek-najmlodsza-egzoplaneta-w,nId,23545456) — Elias 2-24 B Is a Cosmic Baby. The Youngest Exoplanet Ever Discovered.
- [GEEKSPIN](https://geekspin.co/nasa-astronomers-discover-youngest-planet-ever-found) — NASA astronomers discover youngest planet ever found
- [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/otkriven-elias-224-b-najmladji-poznati-planet-u-svemiru/2835903.aspx) — Elias 2-24 B, the Youngest Known Planet in the Universe, Discovered
- [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/techscience/2163219/anakalyfthike-neogennitos-exoplanitis-poy-einai-o-neoteros-poy-gnorizoyme-sto-sympan) — Newborn Exoplanet Discovered, Youngest Known in the Universe
- [Martin Cid Magazine](https://martincid.com/science/elias-2-24-b-youngest-planet-ever) — The youngest planet ever found is less than a million years old
- [NewsBomb](https://newsbomb.gr/fun/story/1764162/o-neoteros-planitis-pou-exei-anakalyfthei-pote-enas-gigantas-krymmenos-sto-vathy-diastima) — The Youngest Planet Ever Discovered: A Giant Hidden in Deep Space
- [Ada Derana](https://adaderana.lk/news/cmu6h4lpo000d356p4pwz2cie) — Astronomers discover youngest known planet ever: Study
- [La Nación, Grupo Nación](https://nacion.com/ciencia/astronomos-descubren-el-planeta-mas-joven-conocido/EIX2F675CVC4TG2FXBDKGJRPAI/story) — Astronomers Discover the Youngest Known Planet: It Is Less than a Million Years Old
- [RocketNews](https://rocketnews.com/2026/09/astronomers-just-found-the-youngest-known-planet-ever) — Astronomers just found the youngest known planet ever
- [Amar Ujala](https://amarujala.com/india-news/youngest-planet-elias-2-24-b-planet-formation-2026-09-18) — A 'Newborn' Planet Less than 1 Million Years Old Has Been Discovered: as Massive as Jupiter; How Did It Form so Quickly?
- [Live Science](https://livescience.com/space/exoplanets/this-million-year-old-baby-planet-is-the-youngest-world-scientists-have-ever-discovered) — This million-year-old 'baby planet' is the youngest world scientists have ever discovered
- [Metrópoles](https://metropoles.com/ciencia/astronomos-encontram-o-exoplaneta-mais-jovem-ja-conhecido-elias-2-24-b) — Astronomers Find the Youngest Known Exoplanet, Elias 2-24 B
- [Latestly](https://latestly.com/agency-news/tech-news-astronomers-discover-youngest-known-planet-ever-study-7609013.html) — Astronomers Discover Youngest Known Planet Ever: Study
- [flash.gr](https://flash.gr/anakalyfthike-o-neoteros-exoplanitis-poy-gnorizoyme-o-neogennitos-elias-2-24-b-1081769) — The Youngest Exoplanet We Know of Has Been Discovered – The “Newborn” Elias 2-24 B
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/ciencia/bebezao-planeta-ainda-em-formacao-e-o-mundo-mais-jovem-ja-descoberto-pelos-astronomos-conheca-elias-2-24-b) — 'Baby': Planet Still in Formation Is the Youngest World Ever Discovered by Astronomers; Meet Elijah 2-24 B
- [www.cnews.fr](https://cnews.fr/monde/2026-09-17/elias-2-24-b-quelle-est-cette-planete-consideree-par-la-nasa-comme-la-plus-jeune) — Elias 2-24 B: What Is This Planet Considered by Nasa as the Youngest Ever Observed?
- [online-listing.com](https://online-listing.com/news/blogger/2026/09/17/astronomers-just-found-the-youngest-known-planet-ever-sciencedaily/happenings) — Astronomers just found the youngest known planet ever – ScienceDaily
- [astrobiology.com](https://astrobiology.com/2026/09/17/youngest-exoplanet-yet-discovered-found-hiding-in-keck-observatory-data) — Youngest Exoplanet Yet Discovered Found Hiding in Keck Observatory Data
- [IFLScience](https://iflscience.com/less-than-a-million-year-old-planet-finally-breaks-4-way-tie-to-become-youngest-known-world-84681) — Planet Less Than A Million Years Old Finally Breaks 4-Way Tie To Become Youngest Known World
- [se7en.ws](https://se7en.ws/samyj-molodoj-gigant-ekzoplaneta-elias-2-24-b-p) — The Youngest Giant: the Exoplanet Elias 2-24b Beat the Formation Record Contrary to Theory.
- [StarLust](https://starlust.org/astronomers-just-found-the-youngest-planet-ever-seenand-its-still-taking-shape) — Astronomers just found the youngest planet ever seen—and it's still taking shape
- [Science Daily](https://sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260917003712.htm) — Astronomers just found the youngest known planet ever
- [Kronen Zeitung](https://krone.at/4298707) — Researchers Find by Far the Youngest Baby Planet
- [Klix](https://klix.ba/scitech/nauka/naucnici-otkrili-najmladu-egzoplanetu-dosad-i-nazvali-je-elias/260917141) — Scientists Discovered the Youngest Exoplanet so Far and Named It Elias
- [todaypress.tv](https://todaypress.tv/en/interesting/genc-planet-tesdiqlendi-gunes-sisteminin-yaranma-sirrini-acacaq) — Young planet confirmed — could reveal the secrets of the Solar System’s formation
- [Knowridge Science Report](https://knowridge.com/2026/09/astronomers-discover-the-youngest-planet-ever-seen) — Astronomers Discover the Youngest Planet Ever Seen
- [Space](https://space.com/astronomy/exoplanets/scientists-find-youngest-exoplanet-on-record-a-newborn-named-elias) — Scientists find youngest exoplanet on record — a 'newborn' named Elias
- [Merca2.es](https://merca2.es/2026/09/17/planeta-mas-joven-elias-2-24-b-2456080) — They Confirm the Youngest Planet: Elias 2-24 B Is Less than a Million Years Old
- [Mashable](https://mashable.com/science/youngest-exoplanet-discovered-elias-2-24-b) — Astronomers discover their youngest baby exoplanet yet
- [Unknown](https://science.focus.ua/uk/nauka/768033-odnolitka-lyudstva-vcheni-viyavili-naymolodshu-planetu-v-chumackomu-shlyahu) — Peer of Humanity: Scientists Have Discovered the Youngest Planet in the Milky Way
- [Tech Explorist](https://techexplorist.com/youngest-planet-ever-found-less-1-million-years-old/104258) — Astronomers confirm the youngest planet ever found; Less than 1 million years old
- [scinexx.de](https://scinexx.de/news/kosmos/babyplanet-keck-observatorium-hat-juengsten-bekannten-exoplaneten-entdeckt) — Baby Planet: Keck Observatory Has Discovered Recent Known Exoplanets
- [Журнал The Universemagazine Space Tech](https://universemagazine.com/en/cosmic-baby-found-the-youngest-planet-in-the-universe) — The youngest exoplanet confused astronomers with its age
- [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-09-newfound-baby-planet-youngest-world.html) — Newfound 'baby' planet smashes record for youngest known world
- [Boing Boing](https://boingboing.net/2026/09/16/baby-planet-observed-orbiting-young-star-453-light-years-from-earth.html) — Baby planet observed orbiting young star 453 light years from Earth
- [Howzit Kohala](https://howzitkohala.com/2026/09/16/youngest-exoplanet-yet-discovered-found-hiding-in-keck-observatory-data-astronomers-confirm-a-giant-planet-still-forming-around-its-young-star-offering-a-rare-glimpse-into-how-planetary-systems-tak) — Youngest Exoplanet Yet Discovered Found Hiding in Keck Observatory Data Astronomers confirm a giant planet still forming around its young star, offering a rare glimpse into how planetary systems take shape
- [keckobservatory.org](https://keckobservatory.org/elias224b) — Youngest Exoplanet Yet Discovered Found Hiding in Keck Observatory Data – W. M. Keck Observatory
- [NASA (Source)](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/newfound-baby-planet-smashes-record-for-youngest-known-world) — Newfound ‘Baby’ Planet Smashes Record for Youngest Known World - NASA Science

## Questions

**What is Elias 2-24 b?**

Elias 2-24 b is a Jupiter-sized exoplanet confirmed to be less than one million years old, making it the youngest known planet. It is still within its natal disk of dust and gas, indicating it is actively forming.

**How far away is Elias 2-24 b?**

Elias 2-24 b is located approximately 450 light-years from Earth. One report mentioned a distance of 453 light-years.

**Why is this discovery significant?**

The discovery of Elias 2-24 b challenges current planet-formation models. Its rapid formation as a giant planet so far from its star suggests that existing theories may be incomplete and require revision.

**How was Elias 2-24 b discovered?**

The planet was confirmed using archival data from the W. M. Keck Observatory's coronagraph, which is funded by NASA. Astronomers reviewed observations from 2018 and 2020 to identify the planet within its star's dusty disk.

---

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