Planetary system around HD 69830 II (artist's impression)

Using the ultra-precise HARPS spectrograph on ESO's 3.6-m telescope at La Silla (Chile), a team of European astronomers have discovered that a nearby star is host to three Neptune-mass planets. The innermost planet is most probably rocky, while the outermost is the first known Neptune-mass planet to reside in the habitable zone. This unique system is likely further enriched by an asteroid belt. This view portaits a point of view inside the asteroid belt, which is assumed here to lie between the two outermost planets.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0618b
Type:Artwork
Release date:18 May 2006
Related releases:eso0618
Size:3000 x 2250 px

About the Object

Name:HD 69830b
Type:Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Planetary System
Distance:40 light years
Category:Exoplanets
Illustrations

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