Possible planetary or protoplanetary disc around the star Beta Pictoris

This is an image of a possible planetary or protoplanetary disc around the star Beta Pictoris. It is the first visible light image ever taken of a compact disc of solid material located within such close proximity to a star. The disc is estimated to be 80.000 million kilometres across.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso8701a
Type:Observation
Release date:5 January 1987
Related releases:eso8701
Size:1923 x 1608 px

About the Object

Name:Beta Pictoris
Type:Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Planetary System
Distance:70 light years
Category:Exoplanets

Image Formats

Large JPEG
718.1 KB
Screensize JPEG
247.4 KB

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
OpticalMPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope