Chaotic dust disc around HD 142527 A is constantly changing its shape

Star system: HD 142527 | Distance from the Sun: 519 light years

Astronomers have discovered a highly complex and ever-changing environment in the inner regions of the HD 142527 A star system, where planets typically form. 

By using advanced infrared telescopes, researchers found that the dust disc surrounding the star is not a simple symmetrical ring, but a chaotic structure that shifts and changes from year to year. Surprisingly, the dust reaches much closer to the star than previously thought, extending to a distance much smaller than the orbit of Mercury in our solar system. These dramatic variations and the uneven distribution of material are likely caused by the gravitational tug-of-war with a nearby companion star that orbits very close to the main disc.

Scientific study

The asymmetric structure of the inner disc around HD 142527 A with VLTI/MATISSE (external link)