September 23, 2009--A lump of material pushes around the debris-filled disk around a young star in an artist's rendering. The picture is an exaggerated view of what scientists think is happening around the star LRLL 31, based on new information from the Spitzer Space Telescope.

Spitzer's infrared eye recently caught changes in the intensity and wavelength of light shining from the star's inner disk. The swirling ring of material is thought to contain the seeds for planet formation. Over a five-month period, the light periodically changed for a few weeks at a time. Astronomers think they've witnessed a rare real-time glimpse of a planet being born. (Find out more about LRLL 31 and its possible planetary newborn.)