In a related development, observations by the Spitzer Space Telescope of the young star CoKu Tau 4, 420 light years from earth in the constellation Taurus, have yielded the youngest planet yet discovered. The star itself is only perhaps a million years old, with the planet orbiting along the inner edge of what is believed to be a planet-forming disk surrounding the star. Spitzer has also unambiguously confirmed the presence of icy organic materials in the disks surrounding young stars—a possible source for future planetary oceans.
(Washington Post) KB

–From the June 2004 Austin Review KB