Astronomical telescope captures images of another solar system

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by: William Hoffman
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Word Count: 319
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 Time: 4:57 AM

These days it is possible for consumes to get a great view of the stars above them. By investing in some of the fantastic astronomical telescopes available, they can cast their eyes up to the night sky and see some incredible sights.

One man to have done just this is New Zealander Rolf Olsen. Using his amateur telescopes, the enthusiast has succeeded in capturing images of another solar system, the Daily Mail reports.

From his back garden, the astrophotographer took images of the disk of debris and dust around Beta Pictoris, which is a very young solar system. The second brightest star in the constellation Pictor, it is located around 63.4 light years away and is much bigger than our sun.

Mr Olsen managed to capture the images using a 25cm telescope, showing that it is not necessary for individuals to have huge astronomical telescopes in order to see exciting things.

The material that forms the proto-planetary disc around the star has been photographed by professionals in large observatories before. However, it was not thought possible for amateurs to capture images of the system because of the glare from the star.

But Mr Olsen got around this by taking an image of a similar star and subtracting it from the picture of Beta Pictoris.

According to the Daily Mail, the picture is being hailed as a 'milestone' and no doubt it will be of interest to the many users of astronomical telescopes around the world.

On his website, the New Zealander remarked: "The result is, I believe, the first amateur image of another solar system: The proto-planetary disc around Beta Pictoris. I must say it feels really special to have actually captured this."

His achievement may well serve as an incentive for more people to take up this interesting and thought-provoking hobby.

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