Artist’s Impression of the Double-Star System GG Tauri-A

This artist’s impression shows the dust and gas around the double star system GG Tauri-A. Researchers using ALMA have detected gas in the region between two discs in this binary system. This may allow planets to form in the gravitationally perturbed environment of the binary. Half of Sun-like stars are born in binary systems, meaning that these findings will have major consequences for the hunt for exoplanets.

Illustration credit: ESO/L. Calçada

Note: For more information, see Planet-Forming Lifeline Discovered in a Binary Star System.