ALMA image of the protoplanetary disc around HL Tauri

This is the sharpest image ever taken by ALMA — sharper than is routinely achieved in visible light with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. It shows the protoplanetary disc surrounding the young star HL Tauri. These new ALMA observations reveal substructures within the disc that have never been seen before and even show the possible positions of planets forming in the dark patches within the system.

Credit:

ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

About the Image

Id:eso1436a
Type:Observation
Release date:6 November 2014, 13:00
Related releases:eso2404, eso1436
Size:1800 x 1800 px

About the Object

Name:HL Tauri
Type:Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Disk : Protoplanetary
Distance:450 light years
Constellation:Taurus
Category:Stars

Image Formats

Large JPEG
241.9 KB
Screensize JPEG
87.5 KB

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2048x1536
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Coordinates

Position (RA):4 31 38.37
Position (Dec):18° 14' 0.99"
Field of view:0.03 x 0.03 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 0.0° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Millimeter1.28 mmAtacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array

Exposure time: 16200s