The astronomers observed hot minerals just beginning to solidify – the first specks of planet-forming material, the astronomers said. A gaseous disk surrounding the young star is the first stages of the assembly process to form a new planetary system, according to the paper.

For the first time, astronomers have successfully observed the earliest stages of planet formation around a star outside our solar system.

It's the earliest stage of planet formation ever seen by scientists. The new planetary system is taking shape around HOPS-315, a baby star which is located 1,300 light years from Earth in the Orion Nebula. Experts say that the discovery could help better understand the beginnings of our own Solar System.