Milky Way image reveals new structure in unprecedented detail

Scientists using the ALMA telescope in Chile released the largest-ever image of the Milky Way's central region, showing long, thin filaments of gas that trace flows toward star-forming areas.

Scientists have released the largest-ever image of the Milky Way's central region produced by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. The image maps connections across the center that were previously seen only as isolated patches. The work is part of the ALMA CMZ Exploration Survey led by Steven Longmore at Liverpool John Moores University and involved more than 160 researchers. Researchers note the center's conditions resemble those in early galaxies where many stars formed. Key details: - The image is the largest obtained by ALMA of the Milky Way's center and presents unprecedented spatial detail. - It reveals long, thin filaments of gas that appear to act as streams flowing toward regions where stars and planets form. - The project is the ALMA CMZ Exploration Survey, led by Steven Longmore, and involved a team of more than 160 scientists. - The team plans to combine ALMA data with observations from the James Webb Space Telescope and the future Extremely Large Telescope; they have requested Webb time but noted the proposal process is highly oversubscribed. Summary: The image gives a more connected view of the Milky Way's center and helps researchers study the physical processes that lead to star and planet formation. The team intends to seek complementary observations at other wavelengths to link structures seen in ALMA data with young stars and related activity, and proposals for follow-up time are under competitive review.