Story perspectives

Stunning Image Reveals Milky Way's Star-Forming Gas Network

2/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in Chile have captured the Milky Way's Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) image.
The image spans more than 650 light-years, revealing a network of cold gas filaments crucial for star formation.
The ALMA CMZ Exploration Survey (ACES) aims to understand extreme CMZ conditions, where massive stars form and die rapidly.

History

Historical Context

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) began operations in 2011, following years of international collaboration initiated in 1997. Funded by partners including the European Southern Observatory and the National Science Foundation, ALMA consists of 66 antennas in Chile's Atacama Desert. This advanced array enhances our understanding of star formation, particularly in the Milky Way's Central Molecular Zone, marking a significant leap in astronomical research.

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Story summary

Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array in Chile have captured the Milky Way's Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) image.
The image spans more than 650 light-years, revealing a network of cold gas filaments crucial for star formation.
The ALMA CMZ Exploration Survey (ACES) aims to understand extreme CMZ conditions, where massive stars form and die rapidly.

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