IRAS 04125+2902 (TIDYE-1) system (IMAGE)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

IRAS 04125+2902 (TIDYE-1) system

Caption

An artistic interpretation of the IRAS 04125+2902 (TIDYE-1) system. Young stars like this are covered in starspots—regions cooler than the surrounding stellar surface. The inner disk is depleted, leaving an intact outer disk that forms a donut-like structure around the host star. The outer disk is nearly face-on, in contrast to the edge-on planet orbit around the host star. This allows for an unobstructed view of the system. If the disk were also edge-on, it would block the planet and host star, preventing the discovery. 

Credit

NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt, K. Miller (Caltech/IPAC)

Usage Restrictions

n/a

License

Original content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.