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A weirdly warped planet-forming disk circles a distant trio of stars

The bizarre geometry of this system is the first known of its kind

GW Orionis illustration

The star system GW Orionis is surrounded by a complicated trio of rings that could form planets, as shown in this artist’s illustration.

L. Calçada/ESO, S. Kraus et al, Univ. of Exeter

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

In one of the most complex cosmic dances astronomers have yet spotted, three rings of gas and dust circle a trio of stars.