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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

First direct image of a multi-planet system around a sun-like star

First direct image of a multi-planet system around a sun-like star
First direct image of a multi-planet system around a sun-like star This image, taken by the SPHERE instrument on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, captures the young Sun-like star YSES-1, also known as TYC 8998-760-1. Its two giant planets, YSES-1b and 1c. This was the first time astronomers directly imaged more than one exoplanet orbiting a star similar to our own Sun. ESO / Bohn et al.

The two planets appear as bright dots (one near the center (YSES-1b) and one at the lower right (YSES-1c)), highlighted by arrows. Other dots in the image are background stars, which were distinguished from the planets by tracking their motion over time.

A coronagraph was used to block the intense starlight from YSES-1, allowing the much fainter planets to be seen.