Previously unseen star formation in Milky Way detected in new study
Bengaluru, July 23: An international team of astronomers has carried out an extensive new survey of the Milky Way, revealing previously unseen signatures with unprecedented sensitivity and details that hint at how stars form and die, complex processes that have fascinated researchers for centuries.
The results were published in a series of papers in 'Astronomy & Astrophysics' by the team, which includes scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST).
(Photo: Brunthaler et al., Sophia Dagnello, NRAO/AUI/NSF)GLOSTAR image, using data from both the VLA and the Effelsberg radio telescope, shows a segment of the Milky Way's disk, revealing previously unseen tracers of massive star formation. Some of these features are identified in this version of the image.
The data for the survey, which spanned a large part of the Milky Way, was gathered using two powerful radio telescopes: the Karl G Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, USA, and theEffelsberg100-m radio telescope operated by the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy Germany, as part of the GLOSTAR (Global View on Star formation in the Milky Way) project.
Nirupam Roy, Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics and Rohit Dokara, his former undergraduate student from IISc, as well as Jagadheep D Pandian, Associate Professor at the Department of Earth and Space Sciences in IIST are among the Indian scientists who are part of the GLOSTAR project, Bengaluru-based IISc said in a statement on Friday.
Dokara, now a PhD student at MPIfR, is the first author on one of the papers that reports the detection of new supernova remnants (SNRs) structures born from the explosive death of massive stars in our galaxy.
Previous surveys have detected only about one-third of the expected number of SNRs in the Milky Way (which is nearly 1000), according to the statement.
The GLOSTAR team has now discovered 80 new SNR candidates in the VLA data alone,with more expected to be identified from the combined Effelsberg and VLA data.
They were also able to confirm the presence of 77 previously discovered SNR candidates and reclassify a few that were misidentified.
This is impressive, considering that the northern telescopes utilised by GLOSTAR are able to see only half of the inner regions of the Milky Way, it said.
"This is an important step to solve this long-standing mystery of the missing supernova remnants," said Dokara.
The researchers were also able to detect other traces of star formation.
One of them, for example, is radio emission from methanol molecules in a nearby large star-forming complex 'Cygnus X.'
These are typically emitted from massive stars in very early stages of formation.
The team was also able to detect dense pockets of ionised hydrogen, another tell-tale sign of the presence of massive young stars.
Young stars are usually surrounded by thick clouds of dust and gas.
"Because visible light gets absorbed in this dense cloud around stars, most of the optical telescopes dont reveal much.
What people look for, instead, are radio emissions," explained Roy, who has previously worked at both NRAO and MPIfR.
"Since the GLOSTAR survey detects a wide range of radio emission such as that from methanol molecules to ionised hydrogen, it is able to probe the formation of massive stars from very early to relatively late stages, which is important to get a complete picture of star formation in the Milky Way," added Pandian, who has also previously worked at MPIfR.
The Effelsberg radio telescope is a single large dish spanning 100 m in diameter, capable of detecting large-scale structures, whereas the VLA is a collection of small antennas which work together as an interferometer to capture the details at high resolution.
The data pooled from both telescopes helped the researchers paint a more comprehensive picture of different astrophysical objects in the region.
"This clearly demonstrates that the Effelsberg telescope is still very crucial, even after 50 years of operation," said Andreas Brunthaler of MPIfR, project leader and first author of the survey's overview paper.
Karl Menten, the Director of MPIfR, who initiated GLOSTAR, added: "Its great to see the beautiful science resulting from two of our favourite radio telescopes joining forces."
Both Pandian and Roy currently maintain Max Planck-India Partner Groups with Menten to continue the close collaboration and, in particular, to expand the scope of the GLOSTAR project.
Other members of the research team include scientists from MPIfR and NRAO, and collaborators from institutions in the UK, South Africa, Mexico, France and Australia.
With observations and analysis ongoing, more results are expected to be published over time, it was stated.
New extensive survey of #MilkyWay using powerful radio telescopes reveals previously unseen details that hint at how stars form and die. The team includes researchers from IISc, @IIST_Trivandrum, MPIfR, @TheNRAO & other collaborators.https://t.co/URLPyRrckg pic.twitter.com/plwYKLiPr2
— IISc Bangalore (@iiscbangalore) July 23, 2021
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
