Astronomy Picture of the Day -- The Double Dust Disks of HD 95086

NASA ^ | November 17, 2014 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: What do other star systems look like? To help find out, astronomers are carrying out detailed observations of nearby stars in infrared light to see which have dust disks that might be forming planets. Observations by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and ESA's Herschel Space Observatory have found that planetary system HD 95086 has two dust disks: a hot one near the parent star and a cooler one farther out. An artist's illustration of how the system might appear is featured here, including hypothetical planets with large rings that orbit between the disks. The planets may have created the large gap between the disks by absorbing and deflecting dust with their gravity. HD 95086 is a blue star about 60 percent more massive than our Sun that lies about 300 light years from Earth and is visible with binoculars toward the constellation of Carina. Studying the HD 95086 system may help astronomers better understand the formation and evolution of our own Solar System as well as the Earth.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: Spitzer Space Telescope, JPL, NASA ]

[blueunicorn6]

You can absorb and deflect dust with gravity? I guess I’d better sell my Swiffer stock.

[SunkenCiv]

This and the others through the 22nd were going to be late, but I had them all ready to post yesterday. I was using the 19 year old computer, and it choked on something, had to be rebooted. Oh well.

The Big One

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[The Cajun]

Know it's an artist concept, but way cool.

[KoRn]

I never have liked or give much credibility to “artist illustrations” about what things might appear to be. It’s little more than an educated GUESS. Sure it’s neat to look at, but SHOULDN’T be an APOD. (of course we’ve seen many others that aren’t worthy of APOD)

I suppose it can be difficult when you have to show something different, every single day.

It IS rather cool looking though. :)

[SunkenCiv]

Not only that, how can anyone on Earth possibly know that it’s called HD 95086?

[dsc]

Some really nice ones in this batch; thanks.