Zoom-in on IRAS 13481-6124

Astronomers have been able to obtain the first image of a dusty disc closely encircling a massive baby star, providing direct evidence that massive stars do form in the same way as their smaller brethren — and closing an enduring debate.

The team of astronomers looked at an object, known by the cryptic name of IRAS 13481-6124. About twenty times the mass of our Sun and five times its radius, the young central star, which is still surrounded by its pre-natal cocoon, is located in the constellation of Centaurus, about 10 000 light-years away.

Kilde:

ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2/Spitzer/NASA/JPL/S. Kraus. Music: John Dyson (from the album "Moonwind")

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Id:eso1029a
Udgivelsesdato:14. juli 2010 19:00
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