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NASA's Hubble Reveals Massive Planet-Forming Disk 978 Light-Years Away

1/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Hubble Space Telescope captured IRAS 23077+6707, the largest planet-forming disk, located 978 light-years away in the Cepheus constellation.
The disk spans nearly 400 billion miles and may harbor a vast planetary system.
Astronomers described its chaotic structure with bright gas filaments and an asymmetric shape.
Lead author Kristina Monsch emphasized the rarity of such imaging.
Co-investigator Joshua Bennett Lovell highlighted the opportunity to study planet-formation processes.

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Story summary

The Hubble Space Telescope captured IRAS 23077+6707, the largest planet-forming disk, located 978 light-years away in the Cepheus constellation.
The disk spans nearly 400 billion miles and may harbor a vast planetary system.
Astronomers described its chaotic structure with bright gas filaments and an asymmetric shape.
Lead author Kristina Monsch emphasized the rarity of such imaging.
Co-investigator Joshua Bennett Lovell highlighted the opportunity to study planet-formation processes.