To Main Content

National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Astronomers Discover a Young Solar System Around a Nearby Star

| Science

An international team led by Thayne Currie of the Subaru Telescope and using the Gemini South telescope, has discovered a young planetary system that shares remarkable similarities to our own early solar system. Their images reveal a ring-line disk of debris surrounding a Sun-line star, in a birth environment similar to the Sun’s. The disk appears to be sculpted by at least one unseen solar system-like planet, is roughly the same size as our solar system’s Kuiper Belt, and may contain dust and icy particles. This work provides a valuable key to understanding the early formation of the Sun and planets.

Figure 1: Image of HD 115600
Figure. Image of HD 115600 showing a bright debris ring viewed nearly edge-on and located just beyound a Pluto-like distance to its star. One or more unseen solar system-like planets are causing the disk center to be offset from the star’s position (cross). Original size (54KB). (Credit: Thayne Currie/NAOJ)

Link

This article is including a link to a article for kids.

View of a Toddler Solar System Printer-friendly

Space Scoop Space Scoop | UNAWE

The Universe Awareness website provides children through the world with fun, easy to understand news and educational materials about the Universe. These help kids understand the size and beauty of the Universe. The “Space Scoop” section of Universe Awareness contains articles written for kids explaining current astronomy news. A Space Scoop is available for this article.