The "Flying Saucer" Protoplanetary Disc at Star 2MASS J16281370-2431391 | ESO

The "Flying Saucer" Protoplanetary Disc at Star 2MASS J16281370-2431391 | ESO

The young star 2MASS J16281370-2431391 lies in the spectacular Rho Ophiuchi star formation region, about 400 light-years from Earth. It is surrounded by a disc of gas and dust—such discs are called protoplanetary discs as they are the early stages in the creation of planetary systems. 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 main image shows part of the Rho Ophiuchi region and a much enlarged close-up infrared view of the Flying Saucer from the NASA/European Space Agency Hubble Space Telescope is shown as an insert.

Credit: Digitized Sky Survey 2/NASA/European Space Agency (ESA)

Release Date: February 3, 2016

#NASA #ESA #ESO #Hubble #Astronomy #Space #Science #Star #2MASSJ162813702431391 #ProtoplanetaryDisc #RhoOphiuchi #Ophiuchus #Constellation #MilkyWay #Galaxy #Cosmos #Universe #SpaceTelescope #STScI #UnitedStates #Europe #Infographic #STEM #Education