Latest news with #ALMA
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers discover the largest comet from the outskirts of the solar system is exploding with jets of gas
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Astronomers have discovered that the largest comet from the Oort Cloud, a shell of icy bodies at the very edge of the solar system, is bursting with chemical the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, the team discovered that C/2014 UN271, an 85-mile-wide (137 km) body around 10 times the size of the average comet and also known as Bernardinelli-Bernstein, is erupting with complex and evolving jets of carbon monoxide gas. Now located halfway between the sun and the solar system's furthest planet, Neptune (or 16.6 times the distance between the Earth and our star), C/2014 UN271 becomes the second-most distant comet originating from the Oort Cloud that has been seen to be chemically active. The observations are also the first direct evidence of what drives cometary activity when these icy bodies are far from the sun. "These measurements give us a look at how this enormous, icy world works," team leader and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center researcher Nathan Roth said in a statement. "We're seeing explosive outgassing patterns that raise new questions about how this comet will evolve as it continues its journey toward the inner solar system." ALMA was able to observe C/2014 UN271 despite its distance from the sun via the carbon monoxide in its atmosphere and its thermal emissions. Previously, the sensitivity of this ground-breaking instrument, composed of an array of 66 radio antennas located in the Atacama Desert region of northern Chile, allowed scientists to determine the size of the core or "nucleus" of the comet. Building upon this, the team was able to precisely determine the comet's entire size and the amount of dust that envelopes its core or "nucleus." This confirmed the status of C/2014 UN271 as the largest Oort Cloud comet ever to the clearer picture painted of this giant comet by ALMA was the first detection of molecular outgassing for C/2014 UN271. This has afforded scientists a rare look at the chemistry of icy bodies from the very edge of the solar system. Related Stories: — The sun is a 'runaway world collector' that can trap passing rogue planets — The solar system is teeming with 1 million 'alien invaders' from Alpha Centauri — Watch asteroid 2024 YR4 zoom harmlessly through space after risk of hitting Earth falls to near zero (video) C/2014 UN271 is approaching the sun, and as it does, the comet will begin to heat up, and more frozen material within it will turn gaseous and erupt from its icy comets are thought to be composed of unspoiled material left over from the formation of the solar system around 4.6 billion years ago, this could offer a glimpse at the conditions in which Earth and the other planets were team's research was published on June 12 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
How do baby planets grow? Study of 30 stellar nurseries sheds new light
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Infant planets are ravenous little blighters that quickly devour what remains of the star-circling gas and dust clouds in which they form. The gas in these protoplanetary disks disappears rapidly, within just a few million years. Astronomers now have a better picture of this process of planetary evolution than ever before, thanks to a new study. The research was conducted by an international team of astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), as part of a program called the ALMA Survey of Gas Evolution of PROtoplanetary Disks (AGE-PRO). The AGE-PRO team studied 30 protoplanetary disks around sunlike stars, finding that gas and dust components in these disks evolve at different rates. The amount of gas remaining as these disks are whittled away determines the type of planets these systems produce, the researchers found. The new results could help scientists better understand how planetary systems, including our own solar system, form and evolve. Indeed, the AGE-PRO results have given rise to a staggering 12 research papers by different research teams, showing just how ground-breaking the discovery is. "These studies have revealed how protoplanetary disks evolve over time," AGE-PRO researcher Anibal E. Sierra Morales, of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at University College London (UCL), said in a statement to "The extraordinary results are an essential step toward understanding the initial conditions that lead to the formation of Earth-like planets." The story of protoplanetary disks begins when clumps of overdense, cool gas collapse under their own gravity in interstellar molecular clouds, birthing stars. These infant stars, or "protostars," continue to gather matter from their prenatal envelope of gas. Eventually, what is left behind is a main sequence star surrounded by a flattened, swirling cloud of gas and dust — a protoplanetary disk. Within this disk, conglomerations of material bump together and stick, gathering mass until they form planetesimals. These planetesimals continue to gather material from the protoplanetary disk, and it is from this process that planets grow. It's estimated that protoplanetary disks surround infant stars for several million years, and this sets the time that giant planets have available to form. The initial size and mass of the protoplanetary disk and the speed at which it spins — its angular momentum — determine the kind of planets it is capable of birthing. The lifespan of gas in the disk then determines how long the clumps have to gather and grow into bodies the size of asteroids or planets. Additionally, these factors can also determine if planets migrate through the planetary disk during their youth, moving from their birthplaces closer to or farther away from their star. This, therefore, determines the final shape that the planetary disk will take. Before this new study, researchers had analyzed how the dust content of protoplanetary disks evolves, but the way the gas content changes over time was not as well understood. "AGE-PRO provides the first measurements of gas disk masses and sizes across the lifetime of planet-forming disks," research principal investigator Ke Zhang, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said in a statement. Using ALMA the team zoomed into 30 protoplanetary disks of different ages, ranging from 1 million years old to over 5 million years old. These disks were located in the star-birthing regions of the constellations Ophiuchus, Lupus and Upper Scorpius. The sensitivity of ALMA allowed the team to track particular chemical "tracers" that reveal gas and dust masses during vital stages of protoplanetary disk evolution, from initial formation to their inevitable disintegration millions of years later. While carbon monoxide is one of the most commonly used chemical tracers for astronomers, the AGE-Pro team also relied on the molecule diazenylium. ALMA was also able to detect the chemical signatures of other molecules like aldehyde, deuterated cyanogen and cyanomethane, thus painting a more detailed picture of the chemical evolution of protoplanetary disks than ever before. "This is the first large-scale chemical survey of its kind, targeting the 30 disks with a broader range of ages to characterize the gas masses," research co-leader John Carpenter, of the Joint ALMA Observatory, said in the same statement. The research hints at the timeframes at which gas giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn are born, compared to those for smaller terrestrial worlds like Earth and Mars. "AGE-PRO reveals that the median average of the gas disk mass goes from several Jupiter masses in the early ages of less than 1 million years to less than a Jupiter mass in the first 1 to 3 million years," said AGE-PRO researcher Paola Pinilla, of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory at UCL. "This means that disks have the reservoir to form giant planets in the young disks, but as they mature, the fuel for forming giant planets significantly decreases. "However, it is surprising that the disks that survive for longer times of between 2 million to 3 million years, maintain a very similar gas disk mass as the 1 million to 3-million-years-old examples.' Related Stories: — Exoplanet nurseries around infant stars can be much smaller than expected: 'It is astonishing' — James Webb Space Telescope's ground-breaking study of a planet-forming disk hints at future exoplanet discoveries — Exoplanet 'baby pictures' reveal exomoons possibly taking shape around infant worlds Another surprise delivered by ALMA was the fact that, as protoplanetary disks age, the gas and dust within them are consumed at different rates. In particular, the ratio of gas to dust undergoes a "swing" as these swirling flattened clouds age. "The most surprising finding is that, although most disks dissipate after a few million years, the ones that survive have more gas than expected," Zhang said. "This fundamentally changes our estimation of the atmospheric accretion of planets formed at a later time." By comparing AGE-PRO's observations of gas evolution in protoplanetary disks of different ages to other studies of gas evolution, the team can start to paint a broader and more detailed picture of how planetary systems evolve. The 12 new papers will be published in a forthcoming issue of The Astrophysical Journal.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chasing Fireflies: A Morgan Nick Special airs this Sunday on 479 First
ALMA, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A 2-hour long special looking back on 30 years of searching for Morgan Nick airs this Sunday on 479 First and on the air June 9 and 10. 'Chasing Fireflies: A Morgan Nick Special' will be live on the 479 First app on Sunday, June 8, at 7 p.m. Part 1 will air live on Monday, June 9: KNWA at 4 p.m. KXNW at 6 p.m. FOX24 at 10 p.m. Part 2 will air live on all three channels on Tuesday, June 10 at times to be announced. Click to find KNWA/FOX24/KXNW on the 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Black America Web
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Birthday Bash Playlist: 14 Kash Doll Tracks You Need To Know
Source: kash doll ty'bri tybri / promo #BirthdayBashATL performer Kash Doll has carved a niche for herself in the hip-hop industry with her unapologetic authenticity and undeniable talent. Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, her rise to prominence is a testament to her drive and passion for music. With a magnetic presence and fierce lyricism, Kash Doll effortlessly blends confidence and relatability, making her a force to be reckoned with in the music world. One of her most iconic tracks, 'Ice Me Out,' exemplifies her luxurious style and sharp delivery, making it a fan favorite. Songs like 'For Everybody' and 'Run Me My Money' highlight her storytelling abilities, while collaborative efforts with artists like Big Sean on 'Friday Night Cypher' and 'So Good' showcase her ability to hold her own alongside industry heavyweights. Kash Doll's collaborations transcend hip-hop boundaries, as seen in 'How It's Done,' where she teamed up with a diverse lineup. Kash Doll's impact extends beyond her music. She embodies empowerment, especially for women, by advocating for independence and self-worth in her lyrics. Her raw honesty resonates with fans, encouraging them to face challenges head-on while staying true to themselves. She isn't afraid to discuss her struggles, making her a relatable figure in an often-polished industry. Through her unique style, lyrical prowess, and fearless authenticity, Kash Doll has inspired a generation of fans and solidified her place as one of hip-hop's most compelling voices. Her influence on the culture is undeniable, proving she's much more than an artist – she's a movement. Get ready for Kash Doll's #BirthdayBashATL performance with some tracks that you MUST know below! Birthday Bash Playlist: 14 Kash Doll Tracks You Need To Know was originally published on 1. Kash Kommandments 2. For Everybody 3. Ice Me Out 4. Power 5. No Lames (ft. Summer Walker) 6. How It's Done (with Kim Petras, ALMA, & Stefflon Don) 7. Doin Too Much 8. Jump 9. Comfy (ft. Tink) 10. Ready Set (ft. Big Sean) 11. Run Me My Money 12. Here I Go 13. Check 14. Hustla Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Astrophysicists Discovered Strange New Objects in Our Galaxy ‘Unlike Anything Else'
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: The Central Molecular Zone, spanning 700 light-years across the heart of the galaxy, contains a majority of the dense gas in the Milky Way. While analyzing this region with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), an international team of scientists discovered a slew of strange "slim filaments" unassociated with star-forming regions. The filaments are likely part of what the researchers call "space tornadoes," which distributes material throughout the CMZ efficiently. It's been little more than half a century since scientists first proposed that a supermassive black hole lies at the heart of the Milky Way. And in the decades since, we've discovered a remarkable amount about our particular corner of the universe—but there's always more to learn. One area that remains a particular mystery is the Central Molecular Zone, or CMZ, which stretches some 700 light-years across at the heart of the galaxy. This region contains roughly 80 percent of all dense gas in the Milky Way, which—according to the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics—accounts for about tens of millions of solar masses of material. Home to giant molecular clouds and numerous star-forming clusters, the CMZ is a swirling mystery, and there is no other place in the galaxy like it. Now, a new study—led by a team of astrophysicists drawing upon data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile—is adding another curiosity to this already head-scratching region of the galaxy: unexpected 'slim filaments' that have left astronomers guessing at their origin. Details of this surprising discovery were published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. An array of 66 radio telescopes located under the remarkably clear skies of the Chajnantor Plateau in the Atacama Desert, ALMA (as its name suggests) is particularly well suited to examining the CMZ thanks to its high angular resolution and its ability to trace certain molecules found in abundance in this region of space. Among those molecules is silicon oxide (SiO), which serves as a tracer for shockwaves in the CMZ. By tracing the spectral lines of SiO, astronomers can better understand this chaotic environment—and, as it turns out, discover previously unknown filament structures. 'SiO is currently the only molecule that exclusively traces shocks, and the SiO 5-4 rotational transition is only detectable in shocked regions that have both relatively high densities and high temperatures,' Kai Yang, lead author of the study from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said in a press statement. 'This makes it a particularly valuable tool for tracing shock-induced processes in the dense regions of the CMZ. When we checked the ALMA images showing the outflows, we noticed these long and narrow filaments spatially offset from any star-forming regions. Unlike any objects we know, these filaments really surprised us. Since then, we have been pondering what they are.' Using the SiO emission lines (along with those of eight other molecules), the astronomers confirmed that their velocities were inconsistent with outflows, show no association with dust emission, and are in hydrostatic equilibrium—a delicate balance between gravity and pressure. All these anomalous findings, packaged alongside insights like 'unlike any objects we know, ' inspire fantasies of massive alien structures hiding out in the heart of our galaxy. But the astronomers have a more science-based explanation, and it is no less mesmerizing. 'We can envision these as space tornados: they are violent streams of gas, they dissipate shortly, and they distribute materials into the environment efficiently,' Xing Lu, a co-author of the study from Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, said in a press statement. 'Our research contributes to the fascinating Galactic Center landscape by uncovering these slim filaments as an important part of material circulation.' The authors theorize that these filaments may be part of a depletion-replenishment cycle at the heart of our galaxy. First, shock waves create these filaments. Then, as these filaments dissipate, they 'refuel' shock-released material in the CMZ and freeze back into dust grains. As scientists delve deeper into the mysteries of these filaments—and if they're as widespread as this particular ALMA sample would suggest—then we may have uncovered an important cyclic process that lies at the heart of our galaxy. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
