Disc Around Massive Baby Star (IMAGE)
Caption
Astronomers have been able to obtain the first image of a dusty disc closely encircling a massive baby star, providing direct evidence that massive stars do form in the same way as their smaller brethren -- and closing an enduring debate. The flared disc extends to about 130 times the Earth–Sun distance -- or astronomical units -- and has a mass similar to that of the star, roughly 20 times the Sun. In addition, the inner parts of the disc are shown to be devoid of dust.
Credit
ESO/L. Calçada
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License
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