365NEWSX
365NEWSX
Subscribe

Welcome

Astronomers Catch Stellar “Intruder” Redhanded – Chaotic Streams of Dust and Gas - SciTechDaily

Astronomers Catch Stellar “Intruder” Redhanded – Chaotic Streams of Dust and Gas - SciTechDaily

Astronomers Catch Stellar “Intruder” Redhanded – Chaotic Streams of Dust and Gas - SciTechDaily
Jan 13, 2022 2 mins, 54 secs

Scientists have made the first comprehensive multi-wavelength observational study of an intruder object disturbing the protoplanetary disk—or birthplace of planets—surrounding the Z Canis Majoris star (Z CMa) in the constellation Canis Major.

This composite image includes data from the Subaru Telescope, Jansky Very Large Array, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, revealing in detail the perturbations, including long streams of material, made in Z CMa’s protoplanetary disk by the intruding object.

Scientists using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Karl G.

Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) made a rare detection of a likely stellar flyby event in the Z Canis Majoris (Z CMa) star system.

Scientists have captured an intruder object disrupting the protoplanetary disk—birthplace of planets—in Z Canis Majors (Z CMa), a star in the Canis Majoris constellation.

This artist’s impression shows the perturber leaving the star system, pulling a long stream of gas from the protoplanetary disk along with it.

Jansky Very Large Array, and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array suggest the intruder object was responsible for the creation of these gaseous streams, and its “visit” may have other as yet unknown impacts on the growth and development of planets in the star system.

What we have done with our ALMA Band 6 and VLA observations is equivalent to capturing lightning striking a tree,” said Ruobing Dong, an astronomer at the University of Victoria in Canada and the principal investigator on the new study.

For the first time, scientists have captured an intruder object “breaking and entering” into a developing star system.

Combining scattered light observations (H-band) from the Subaru Telescope (top right) with dust continuum emission observations from the VLA (Ka-band, 2nd image right) and ALMA’s Band 6 receiver (3rd image right), and the 13CO line (bottom right), scientists were able to gain a comprehensive understanding of just how much disruption this intruder caused, including the development of long streams of gas stretching far out from the protoplanetary disk surrounding Z Canis Majoris, a star in the Canis Majoris constellation.

Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S.

“Flyby events can dramatically perturb the circumstellar disks around participant stars, as we’ve seen with the production of long streamers around Z CMa.”.

Scientists have now made observations of an intruder object disturbing the protoplanetary disk around Z Canis Majoris, a star in the Canis Major constellation, which could have major implications for the development of baby planets.

Perturbations, including long streams of gas, were observed in detail by the Subaru Telescope in the H-band, the Karl G.

Jansky Very Large Array in the Ka-band, and using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array’s Band 6 receiver.

Watching these events take place in a newly forming star system provides us with the information needed to say, ‘Ah-ha.

This is what may have happened to our own Solar System long ago.’ Right now, VLA and ALMA have given us the first evidence to solve this mystery, and the next generations of these technologies will open windows on the Universe that we have yet only dreamed of.”

“These observations highlight the synergy that can come from a newer instrument working in concert with a more seasoned one, and how good a workhorse the ALMA Band 6 receiver is,” said Dr

“I look forward to the even-better results the upgraded ALMA Band 6 receiver will enable.”

Summarized by 365NEWSX ROBOTS

RECENT NEWS

SUBSCRIBE

Get monthly updates and free resources.

CONNECT WITH US

© Copyright 2024 365NEWSX - All RIGHTS RESERVED