Artist impression of the ring of material surrounding the star Vega, discovered by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). The infrared telescope carried by IRAS discovered evidence of solid material orbiting the star. It is thought that these particles have grown from material left over after the formation of the star & may resemble meteoroids, zodiacal dust & other solid material found in our solar system. This discovery has enabled scientists to observe the phenomena leading to the formation of planetary systems around stars.