Direct spectroscopic confirmation of the young embedded proto-planet WISPIT 2c

TL;DR

This paper confirms and characterizes a second young giant planet in the WISPIT 2 system using spectroscopic and interferometric observations, providing insights into planet formation within a multi-planet system.

Contribution

First spectroscopic confirmation and detailed characterization of a second embedded planet in the WISPIT 2 system using combined VLT/SPHERE and VLTI/GRAVITY data.

Findings

The second planet has an estimated mass of 8-12 MJup.

Spectroscopic data shows CO absorption indicating a young giant planet.

Astrometry suggests possible orbital motion, requiring further confirmation.

Abstract

WISPIT 2 is a nearby young star with a multi-ringed disk which was recently confirmed to host a ~4.9 MJup gas giant planet embedded in a large (60 au) gap at a radial separation of 57 au from the host star. We confirm and characterise a second, close-in planet in the WISPIT 2 system using a combination of new VLT/SPHERE H-band dual-polarisation imaging and VLTI/GRAVITY K-band interferometric observations of the WISPIT 2 system. The GRAVITY detection is consistent with a point-like source while its extracted K-band spectrum shows CO band-head absorption at 2.3 microns and a continuum shape consistent with a young giant planet. From the GRAVITY data we extract a medium resolution K-band spectrum of the companion and fit atmospheric model grids using the species tool with nested sampling to constrain its effective temperature, radius, and luminosity. We infer Teff of 1500-2600 K, a radius of 0.91-2.2 RJup, and a luminosity of (-3.47)-(-3.63). Comparison with evolutionary tracks implies a mass range of 8-12 MJup, approximately twice as massive as the previously confirmed WISPIT 2b. The astrometry rules out a background source and marginally detects orbital motion of WISPIT 2c, which needs further follow-up observations for confirmation. WISPIT 2 now becomes an analogue to PDS 70, offering a second laboratory for studying the formation and early evolution of a multi-planet system within its natal disk.