Tag

Very Large Telescope Interferometer

All articles tagged with #very large telescope interferometer

science1 year ago

Historic First: Detailed Image of Dying Star Beyond Our Galaxy

Astronomers have captured the first detailed image of WOH G64, a dying red supergiant star located 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope Interferometer. The image reveals the star's expulsion of gas and dust, forming a cocoon-like structure around it, providing insights into the end stages of stellar life. This breakthrough allows scientists to better understand the dynamics of such stars as they approach a supernova explosion.

astronomy2 years ago

"Unveiling Cosmic Origins: Observing Three Iron Rings Redefining Planet Formation"

Observations with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer found a three-ringed structure in the inner planet-forming disk of a young star, suggesting the formation of two Jupiter-mass planets in the gaps between the rings. The detailed analysis indicates the presence of abundant solid iron grains, resembling conditions during the formation of rocky planets in the early Solar System. This discovery offers insights into planet formation and the composition of planetary building blocks, potentially redefining our understanding of cosmic origins.

astronomy2 years ago

"Astronomers Discover Triple Iron Rings in Planet-Forming Disk"

Astronomers using the Very Large Telescope Interferometer have observed three concentric iron-rich rings in the planet-forming disk of the young star HD 144432, resembling the region where rocky planets formed in the early solar system. The presence of iron and silicate compounds in the disk suggests similarities to the conditions of the early solar system, potentially shedding light on the composition of rocky planets like Earth. The high-resolution observations also indicate the potential formation of planets within the gaps of the ring system, providing valuable insights into the planet formation process around young stars.