Figure: Infrared Images of an Infant Solar System - VLT Confirmation

This picture shows the new object, as imaged with the ISAAC multi-mode instrument on the 8.2-m VLT ANTU telescope at Paranal during the follow-up observations. The circumstellar disk is well visible in the left part of the field as a shadow in front of the nebula. Many background galaxies are visible in this deep image and one edge-on galaxy is seen visible close to the image centre. Note the reddish aspect of the upper nebula; this phenomenon is not yet fully understood.

To confirm this discovery and in order to learn more about the object and the disk, the astronomers obtained additional observations (during "Director's Discretionary Time") with the 8.2-m VLT ANTU telescope. The observations were carried out in "service mode" by ESO staff, using the near-infrared multi-mode Infrared Spectrometer And Array Camera (ISAAC) - the "father" of the SOFI instrument ("Son OF Isaac").

A series of fine images was obtained on August 15, 2001, under very good observing conditions (with "seeing" of 0.4 arcsec). Now the two reflection nebulae are clearly seen, and the dark dust lane is well resolved. The leader of the group, Nicolas Grosso , recalls the first impression when seeing the true shape of the object: "That is when we looked at each other and, with one voice, immediately decided to nickname it the 'Flying Saucer'!".

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)

http://www.eso.org/outreach/press-rel/pr-2002/pr-09-02.html