astronmy Archives

Illustration - Some of the most striking images from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) show young stars surrounded by vast disks of gas and dust with complex patterns of rings and grooves. These structures can trap solid material and indicate the locations where planets begin to form. Larger image

ALMA Reveals Planetary Formation Structures In Small Disks

by Keith CowingOctober 15, 2026October 15, 2026

[ALMA] Thanks to the extraordinary sharpness of ALMA’s images, a research team has discovered rings, grooves, and cavities in extremely compact disks surrounding young stars.

Different faces of the dying star W Hydrae seen in different molecular lines with ALMA. Shown here are 30 faces out of 57 images in total. Credit: K. Ohnaka – N. Lira – ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO) Larger imagery

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release, Stellar Cartography

Astrochemistry: ALMA Reveals 57 Faces Of A Dying Star

by Keith CowingMay 29, 2026May 29, 2026

Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have obtained detailed radio images of a dying star’s atmosphere, revealing a remarkably complex and dynamic environment rich in chemical diversity.