'Youngest planet' flouts theory of formation

Article - 'Youngest planet' flouts theory of formation - by Steven
Battersby -

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995052

In this article it is posited that proto-planets may clump together
from gas under their own own gravity, rather than agglomerating as
rocky material, and may form in thousands of years instead of
millions, before solar wind can blow away the formative materials.

"...A giant planet should shield smaller terrestrial planets from the
deadly bombardment of the comets and asteroids that occurs early in
the development of a solar system. So this new baby planet may
indicate better prospects for life in the Universe."

:^) Jason H.