| Beta Pictoris (b Pic) |
| A fourth magnitude A star, which is surrounded by a disc of material. Attention was focused on the star when it was found to be emitting strongly in the infrared. Optical observations confirmed the presence of the disc with a diameter about ten times the size of Pluto's orbit round the Sun. It is believed that planetary systems form from such discs. Warping of the Beta Pictoris disc suggests the presence of at least one planet. |