Astronomers Find Elusive Planets in Decade-Old Hubble Data

NASA image release Oct. 6, 2011

This is an image of the star HR 8799 taken by Hubble's Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) in 1998. A mask within the camera (coronagraph) blocks most of the light from the star. In addition, software has been used to digitally subtract more starlight. Nevertheless, scattered light from HR 8799 dominates the image, obscuring the faint planets.

Object Name: HR 8799

Image Type: Astronomical

Credit: NASA, ESA, and R. Soummer (STScI)

To read more go to: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/science/elusive-planets...

NASA image use policy.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.

Follow us on Twitter