Title
Possible newfound planet
Caption
In this artist's conception, a possible newfound planet spins through a clearing in a nearby star's dusty, planet-forming disc. This clearing was detected around the star CoKu Tau 4 by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Astronomers believe that an orbiting massive body, like a planet, may have swept away the star's disc material, leaving a central hole. The possible planet is theorized to be at least as massive as Jupiter, and may have a similar appearance to what the giant planets in our own solar system looked like billions of years ago. A graceful ring, much like Saturn's, spins high above the planet's cloudy atmosphere. The ring is formed from countless small orbiting particles of dust and ice
Date
21th century
Credit line
Photo12/Ann Ronan Picture Library
Reference
ARP15A02_205
License type
Rights managed
Available size
51,3Mb (1,4Mb) / 16,3in x 12,2in / 4890 x 3668 (300dpi)