A ring of dust is clearly visible around the star HR 4796 A. Image: Subaru/NAOJ
By Amanda Doyle
02 January 2012
A photo of young star HR 4796 A, taken by the Subaru telescope, has revealed a dust ring around the star. The dust extends to twice the orbit of Pluto and the resolution of the image is so sharp that it shows that the dust ring is offset from the star's position. The unusual symmetry points to the possibility of massive unseen planets, whose gravity tug on the ring of dust.