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Astronomers Capture Stunning Images of Milky Way's Central Zone

3/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

An international team of astronomers captured detailed images of the Central Molecular Zone in the Milky Way.
The Central Molecular Zone spans about 650 light-years.
Dense gas filaments fill the region, as mapped by the ALMA CMZ Exploration Survey.
Principal Investigator Steven Longmore notes the CMZ's features resemble those of early galaxies.
The observations reveal stellar chemistry and evolution, while upgrades to ALMA and new telescopes will enhance these studies.

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Story summary

An international team of astronomers captured detailed images of the Central Molecular Zone in the Milky Way.
The Central Molecular Zone spans about 650 light-years.
Dense gas filaments fill the region, as mapped by the ALMA CMZ Exploration Survey.
Principal Investigator Steven Longmore notes the CMZ's features resemble those of early galaxies.
The observations reveal stellar chemistry and evolution, while upgrades to ALMA and new telescopes will enhance these studies.