MUSE Spots Bizarre Stellar Object with Illuminated Protoplanetary Disk

[Judi Lynn]

Jun 3, 2024 by Enrico de Lazaro

Astronomers using the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile have imaged 177-341 W, a proplyd — an externally illuminated protoplanetary disk around a young star — located in the Orion Nebula Cluster.



This VLT/MUSE image shows the proplyd 177-341 W. Image credit: ESO / Aru et al., doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202349004.

Young stars are surrounded by a disk of gas and dust — the building materials for planets.

When other very bright and massive stars are present nearby, their light heats the young star’s disk, stripping away part of its material.

“Protoplanetary disks, composed of gas and dust, emerge as a consequence of the star formation process, and provide the birth-places of planetary systems,” explained ESO astronomer Mari-Liis Aru and colleagues.

“The evolutionary pathways of protoplanetary disks and their ability to form planets are expected to differ depending on the surrounding environment, with disks undergoing rapid changes in the presence of massive stars.”

More:
https://www.sci.news/astronomy/muse-proplyd-orion-nebula-cluster-12985.html

[Permanut]

1. Weird and cool..

The Orion Nebula is also the home of the Horse Head Nebula, one of the all-time most photographed astronomical objects.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Thanks for the information! Didn't know. ⭐

[Permanut]

3. Space is endlessly fascinating..

I love the astronomy lessons you bring here.

I think in my next life I will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Carl Sagan, Henrietta Leavitt and Neil de Grasse Tyson. And maybe discover something.

In another thread recently the OP asked who I would like to have lunch with. My choice was Neil de Grasse Tyson, but that I would also like to have you invited.