ALMA and VLT image of comet factory around Oph-IRS 48

This image from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) shows the dust trap in the disc that surrounds the system Oph-IRS 48. The dust trap provides a safe haven for tiny particles in the disc, allowing them to clump together and grow to sizes that allow them to survive on their own.

The green region shows where the larger particles are located (millimetre-sized) and is the dust trap seen discovered by ALMA. The orange ring shows observations of much finer dust particles (micron-sized) using the VISIR instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope.

Credit:

ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/Nienke van der Marel

About the Image

Id:eso1325c
Type:Observation
Release date:6 June 2013, 20:00
Related releases:eso2205, eso1325
Size:1156 x 901 px

About the Object

Name:Oph-IRS 48, Ophiuchus
Type:Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Planetary System
Distance:400 light years
Category:Exoplanets
Stars

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Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Millimeter
Band 9
450 μmAtacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
Infrared18 μmVery Large Telescope
VISIR