This image of IRAS 04248+2612 reveals the formation of a binary system. The nebula, illuminated by the binary pair, extends at least 700 AU in opposite directions from the stars. This nebula was formed from material ejected by the young stellar system. The apparent "pinching" of this nebula close to the binary suggests that a ring or disk of dust and gas surrounds the two stars.

Image taken with the HST's NICMOS camera, in the constellation of Taurus, 140 pc away. Most of the nebulae represent small dust particles around the stars, which are seen because they are reflecting starlight.

All photo credits: D. Padgett (IPAC/Caltech), W. Brandner (IPAC), K. Stapelfeldt (JPL) and NASA.
Taken from STSci Press Releases 9/2/99

Last Updated: 12 February 1999

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