In visible light, all stars appear as points, only smeared out into a small circle by the atmosphere and by the optics of the telescope.

ECONOMIST: Planetary formation

The new image, which scientists revealed on Wednesday (Jan. 9), was obtained on the night of Dec. 28 using a new adaptive optics system at the Gemini Observatory South telescope in Chile.

MSN: Cosmic 'bullets' slam Orion nebula in dazzling photo

In December, Dr Mumma's team will begin another study of the Martian surface using the new technique of adaptive optics at the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile.

BBC: Martian methane mystery deepens