New image of the Milky Way reveals how stars are born
CNN • • science
Key Points:
- Scientists have produced the most complete, high-resolution map of cold molecular gas at the center of the Milky Way, using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) over a four-year international effort called the ACES survey.
- The map reveals the distribution and motion of gas in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ), a dense and turbulent region near the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*, providing insights into star and planet formation in extreme galactic environments.
- By analyzing over 70 molecular spectral lines, the survey identifies various chemical compounds, some precursors to amino acids, helping researchers understand the conditions that may have influenced the early solar system and galaxies billions of years ago.
- This project represents one of the
