Astronomers Discover Edge-on Protoplanetary Disk in Quadruple Star System

A close-up near-infrared image of the edge-on protoplanetary disk discovered with adaptive optics on the Gemini North telescope. The disk appears as a dark lane down the middle of the object, and the star is hidden behind it. The two nebulosities (or bright areas) on either side of the disk are produced by light from the star reflecting off dust in the top and bottom of the disk.