Astronomers at the University of Arizona have discovered a complex structure surrounding the young star HR 4796A. It consists of a distinct ring of debris and a cloud of irregular shape, the exact origin of which is still unknown. This was reported in a press release Phys.org.
The structure, formed by dust and gas, was discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope. The white ring reaches 77 astronomical units in diameter, which is almost twice the average distance from the Sun to Pluto. In this case, the stellar wind, arising from the outflow of charged and neutral particles from the surface of the star, blows the fragments of the ring further into space.
The outer structure is asymmetrical and shaped like a curved boomerang. Scientists explain this for several reasons. First, it could be due to the movement of the parent star, which affects the interstellar medium, like a boat that sends waves. Second, the cloud is influenced by the gravitational pull of neighboring HR 4796B.