A study published Wednesday by Nature announced that scientists have observed the birth of a planet for the first time.

The Washington Post reports that the study was lead by Stephanie Sallum, a University of Arizona graduate student and Kate Follette, studying at Stanford. The two were studying independently on PhD projects, but both focused on the same star, LkCa15. LkCa15 is located approximately 450 light years from Earth.

Follette described the star as “like a big donut.”  The system it is contained in has a disk shape, with a solar-system size gap in it. That gap can be created by the formation of planets inside. The two researchers selected the system in part, due to the young star, and remaining material from the formation process.

Previously, old and newer planets have been discovered, but the formation process has not previously been observed. Often, disks of dust and gases prevent the formation from being viewed.

The researchers used high powered telescopes and searched for a red glow, that is emitted by hydrogen as gas falls into a newly forming planet. By searching for the red hydrogen glow, researchers have utilized the method to search for protoplanets.

Using this method, the researchers were able to locate two young orbiting planets. A third is suspected in the system, that has been likely forming for around two million years. The planets contained are likely gas giants.

According to Follette, the light difference between a star and an exoplanet is “usually comparable to the difference between a firefly and a lighthouse.” By looking for a particular color of light, newly forming planets are easier to find for researchers.