Science Visualized Space

Stunning images of swirling gas and dust may show a planet forming

A small, tantalizing twist in a spiral around a young star hints at where an exoplanet grows

Planet-forming swirl around star AB Aurigae

This infrared image, taken by the Very Large Telescope in Chile, shows a giant spiral of planet-forming gas and dust around the young star AB Aurigae, about 520 light-years away in the constellation Auriga. The star itself is blocked out in the center of the image.

A. Boccaletti et al/Astronomy & Astrophysics 2020, ESO

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

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For the first time, astronomers may have seen direct evidence of a planet forming around a young star.