Molecules in the disc around the star IRS 48 (composite)
This composite image from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) shows where various gas molecules were found in the disc around the IRS 48 star, also known as Oph-IRS 48. The disc contains a cashew-nut-shaped region in its southern part, which traps millimetre-sized dust grains that can come together and grow into kilometre-sized objects like comets, asteroids and potentially even planets. Recent observations spotted several complex organic molecules in this region, including formaldehyde (orange), methanol (green) and dimethyl ether (blue), the last being the largest molecule found in a planet-forming disc to date. The emission signaling the presence of these molecules is clearly stronger in the disc’s dust trap, while carbon monoxide gas (purple) is present in the entire gas disc. The location of the central star is marked with a star.
Credit:ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/A. Pohl, van der Marel et al., Brunken et al.
About the Image
Id: | eso2205c |
Type: | Collage |
Release date: | 8 March 2022, 09:00 |
Related releases: | eso2205 |
Size: | 556 x 556 px |
About the Object
Name: | IRS 48, Oph-IRS 48 |
Type: | Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Disk |
Category: | Stars |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Millimeter 13CO | 453 μm | Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Band 9 |
Millimeter CH3OCH3 | 828 μm | Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Band 7 |
Millimeter CH3OH | 856 μm | Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Band 7 |
Millimeter H2CO | 854 μm | Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Band 7 |