The Carina Nebula space cloud. (Photo: IFL Science)
Astronomers researchers recently released the infrared image with the high acuity showing space cloud Carina Nebula . This image was taken using the Gemini South Telescope in Chile. The part taken is the West Wall (West Wall) Nebula.
Such observations are made possible thanks to adaptive optics. The technique allows astronomers to reduce the effects of atmospheric turbulence and increase the resolution up to 10 times. That way astronomers can make observations through the Nebula cloud. This is the report of The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
"The results were astonishing. We saw a lot of unprecedented detail along the edge of the cloud, including a series of parallel ridges that might be generated by a magnetic field, a very fine sine wave, and a fragment at the top that looked like it was cut off by a strong wind," said lead author of the study Patrick Hartigan from Rice University, as quoted from IFL Science , Wednesday (7/10/2020).
This discovery also provides valuable insight into star formation. The Carina Nebula is approximately 7,500 light years from Earth and is one of the most famous stellar nurseries.
The researchers discovered a number of unusual structures, including parallel ridges that may have formed due to the star's magnetic field. This also proves that a massive young star can influence what is around him.
"It is possible that the sun was formed from an environment like that. If so, radiation and wind from nearby massive stars would affect the mass and atmospheres of planets outside the Solar System," Patrick said.
There is much that is not yet known about the formation of planetary systems. This observation is expected to help explain this phenomenon.
Anjasman Situmorang, Journalist