Tucked away in a star-forming region in the Taurus constellation, a pair of circling stars are displaying some unexpected differences in the circumstellar disks of dust and gas that surround them. A new study led by researchers at Lowell Observatory, combining data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Keck Observatory, has unveiled intriguing findings about planet formation in this binary star system, known as DF Tau, along with other systems in this region.
Recent News
Young Stars in the Milky Way’s Backyard Challenge Our Understanding of How They Form
Astronomers have made groundbreaking discoveries about young star formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), along with observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, gives new insight into the early stages of massive star formation outside our galaxy.
Astronomers Catch Unprecedented Features at Brink of Active Black Hole
International teams of astronomers monitoring a supermassive black hole in the heart of a distant galaxy have detected features never seen before using data from NASA missions and other facilities including the National Science Foundation (NSF) National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The features include the launch of a plasma jet moving at nearly one-third the speed of light and unusual, rapid X-ray fluctuations likely arising from near the very edge of the black hole.
ALMA Observes More Than Ever Before
ALMA radio telescope at night Credit: NSF/ NSF NRAO/AUI/C. Padilla
The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is thrilled to announce that a record-breaking total of 4,250 hours of science-quality data were successfully collected on the 12-m Array during Cycle 10. This surpasses the previous record of 3,787 hours achieved during Cycle 5, reflecting a significant enhancement in observational efficiency and scientific output. ALMA also set new records on its other arrays, with 3,769 hours recorded on the 7-m Array and 2,723 hours on the Total Power Array.
“This accomplishment is a direct result of the exceptional teamwork and dedication of everyone involved in the ALMA collaboration,” commented Sergio Martin, ALMA Head of the Department of Science Operations. “Achieving this level of scientific output reflects the improved operational efficiency that allows us to better cope with the growing demand for ALMA’s cutting-edge capabilities. We are excited to see the scientific discoveries emerging from the unprecedented amount of data that ALMA collects.”
This remarkable achievement is a testament to ALMA’s global team’s hard work, coordination, and dedication, including the Joint ALMA Observatory and the partner regions in East Asia, Europe, and North America. The steady increase in observing hours across recent cycles showcases ALMA’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of astronomical discovery.
This news was originally created by the Joint ALMA Observatory.
Recent News
Double the Disks, Double the Discovery: New Insights into Planet Formation in DF Tau
Tucked away in a star-forming region in the Taurus constellation, a pair of circling stars are displaying some unexpected differences in the circumstellar disks of dust and gas that surround them. A new study led by researchers at Lowell Observatory, combining data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Keck Observatory, has unveiled intriguing findings about planet formation in this binary star system, known as DF Tau, along with other systems in this region.
Young Stars in the Milky Way’s Backyard Challenge Our Understanding of How They Form
Astronomers have made groundbreaking discoveries about young star formation in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), along with observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, gives new insight into the early stages of massive star formation outside our galaxy.
Astronomers Catch Unprecedented Features at Brink of Active Black Hole
International teams of astronomers monitoring a supermassive black hole in the heart of a distant galaxy have detected features never seen before using data from NASA missions and other facilities including the National Science Foundation (NSF) National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The features include the launch of a plasma jet moving at nearly one-third the speed of light and unusual, rapid X-ray fluctuations likely arising from near the very edge of the black hole.