Telescope Reveals Milky Way's Core Gases

• A Chilean telescope revealed detailed star-forming gases at the Milky Way’s center.
• The ALMA image, spanning 650 light-years, shows gas clouds around a black hole.
• Astronomers hope to learn more about galaxy evolution by studying this extreme zone.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A telescope located in Chile has unveiled an intricate image of star-forming gases at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Released

on Wednesday by the European Southern Observatory, the image highlights a region of cold cosmic gases that spans over 650 light-years. A light-year measures nearly 6 trillion miles (9.7 trillion kilometers).

Details of the Discovery

The newly captured image, the largest taken by the ALMA antenna network situated in the Atacama Desert, showcases the clouds of gas and dust surrounding the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's center.

Significance for Astronomy

Astronomers aim to deepen their understanding of galaxy evolution by studying star formation in this region, referred to as the Central Molecular Zone. Steve Longmore, survey leader from Liverpool John Moores University, emphasized its importance.

“It’s a place of extremes, invisible to our eyes, but now revealed in extraordinary detail,” stated Ashley Barnes from the European Southern Observatory, part of the research team.