Disc around the young star RX J1615

Using the ESO’s SPHERE instrument at the Very Large Telescope, a team of astronomer observed the planetary disc surrounding the star RX J1615 which lies in the constellation of Scorpius, 600 light-years from Earth. The observations show a complex system of concentric rings surrounding the young star, forming a shape resembling a titanic version of the rings that encircle Saturn. Such an intricate sculpting of rings in a protoplanetary disc has only been imaged a handful of times before.

The central part of the image appears dark because SPHERE blocks out the light from the brilliant central star to reveal the much fainter structures surrounding it.

Credit:

ESO, J. de Boer et al.

About the Image

Id:eso1640b
Release date:9 November 2016, 12:00
Related releases:eso1640
Size:666 x 666 px

About the Object

Type:Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Disk : Protoplanetary
Constellation:Scorpius
Category:Exoplanets
Stars

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Coordinates

Position (RA):16 15 20.24
Position (Dec):-32° 55' 5.07"
Field of view:0.08 x 0.08 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 12.3° right of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Infrared
H2H3
1.593 μmVery Large Telescope
SPHERE
Infrared
H2H3
1.667 μmVery Large Telescope
SPHERE