Beta Pictoris planetary disc,artwork. A protoplanetary disc has formed around the star Beta Pictoris (upper centre). Several planets have already formed,such as the gas giant at lower left. Ring-shaped empty areas are seen in the disc,formed by the passage of protoplanets in their orbits as they gather up surrounding material. At centre right,large asteroids are colliding with a rocky planet. Two comets are seen near the central Beta Pictoris star. The Beta Pictoris system is around 63 light years from Earth,in the constellation Pictor | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Cook, Lynette |
Taille de l’image : | 5138 px × 3439 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |