Astronomers using ALMA and NOEMA have made the first definitive detection of a radioactive molecule in interstellar space. The radioactive part of the molecule is an isotope of aluminium. The observations reveal that the isotope was dispersed into space after the collision of two stars, that left behind a remnant known as CK Vulpeculae. This is the first time that a direct observation has been made of this element from a known source. Previous identifications of this isotope have come from the detection of gamma rays, but their precise origin had been unknown.
The release, images and videos are available on:
https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1826/
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The ESO Education and Public Outreach Department
30 July 2018
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Interview with: Stefan Gillessen
27 July 2018: In May 2018, the star S2 made its closest approach to the galactic centre in 16 years. This star can help us study an elusive area of our galaxy, the ...
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