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Two Micron All-Sky Survey

2MASS

Publication Date2003 (based on a survey conducted 1997 - 2001)
Objects Catalogued471 million near-infrared sources
1.6 million additional sources in an extended catalogue
Brightest Object CataloguedSirius (2MASS J06450887-1642566)

Though little detail is visible in this image, the central object is rather more unusual and interesting that it might appear. This is 2MASS J16281370-2431391, nicknamed the 'Flying Saucer', and closer examination reveals it to be an edge-on view of a protoplanetary disc surrounding and obscuring a young star within the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

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