Hubble telescope discovers largest protoplanetary disk Dracula’s Chivito – planet formation insights

Scientists used the Hubble Space Telescope to take a picture of the largest protoplanetary disk ever seen. The disk is shaped like a giant sandwich and has been nicknamed Dracula’s Chivito. It is about 1,000 light-years away from Earth and spans roughly 400 billion miles, which is about 40 times the size of our solar system.

Astronomers say studying this disk could give clues about how other planetary systems, including ours, formed. Researchers suggested it might, “represent a scaled-up version of our early solar system”, as stated in the report by Popular Science. The new findings were published this week in The Astrophysical Journal. Planetary disks, also called planet nurseries, are made of gas and dust, and planets form when this material comes together.

Largest protoplanetary disk

The official name of this disk is IRAS 23077+6707. Its mass is 10 to 30 times greater than Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. The disk is unusual because it has filament-like features on only one side, showing it is shaped by dynamic events like recent dust and gas falling in. Its structure is “unexpectedly chaotic and turbulent,” according to astronomers.


Kristina Monsch, co-author of the study, said, “These new Hubble images show that planet nurseries can be much more active and chaotic than we expected”, as noted by Popular Science. The nickname comes from where the scientists are from. One is from Transylvania, so it is called Dracula. The other is from Uruguay, where people eat a sandwich called “chivito.”

Astronomers say the disk looks like a hamburger, but some think it looks like a hot dog. The Hubble Telescope started in 1990 and still finds amazing things, even though newer telescopes like James Webb exist.

Hubble space discoveries

In 2025, Hubble has already:

• Observed large space rocks colliding,
• Seen a white dwarf eating a Pluto-like object,
• Created the largest photomosaic of the Andromeda galaxy.

Joshua Bennett, co-investigator, said, “Hubble has given us a front row seat to the chaotic processes that are shaping disks as they build new planets—processes that we don’t yet fully understand but can now study in a whole new way”, as cited in the report by Popular Science.

FAQs

Q1. What is Dracula’s Chivito in space?

It is the largest protoplanetary disk ever observed, shaped like a sandwich, 1,000 light-years away.

Q2. Why is Hubble studying protoplanetary disks important?

Studying these disks helps scientists learn how planets and solar systems form.