Zooming in on the Flying Saucer protoplanetary disc

This video takes us on a journey to the young star 2MASS J16281370-2431391 in the spectacular Rho Ophiuchi star formation region, about 400 light-years from Earth. This star is surrounded by a disc of gas and dust — a protoplanetary disc,  the early stage in the creation of a planetary system. This particular disc is seen nearly edge-on, and its appearance in visible light pictures has led to its being nicknamed the Flying Saucer.

The final close-up infrared view of the Flying Saucer comes from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.