Oph-IRS 48
# Oph-IRS 48

Oph-IRS 48 is a star surrounded by an extraordinary protoplanetary disk, about 444 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Ophiuchus. The disk has revolutionized the view of planet formation in astronomy. Studies have shown that the millimeter dust particles are gathered in a crescent shape, while the gas (traced by CO molecules) and small dust grains follow a full disk ring structure . The centimeter grains are even more concentrated inside the crescent. This structure is consistent with theoretical predictions of dust trapping. Also the chemical composition has been studied, with molecules like $H_2CO$ being present. The dust trap is thought to be conducting the process of planet formation in this young system.

