See the Milky Way like NEVER before in largest image of its kind

"One of the most exciting aspects is the rich chemistry we detect. We see dozens of different molecules, including some complex organic molecules that contain carbon, the same element that forms the basis of life on Earth. From ACES, we are learning more about how the ingredients for planets, and potentially life itself, can arise in the universe."

"The colossal image captures 650 light-years of the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) - one of the most extreme environments in the entire galaxy. This crowded region, located 28,000 light-years from Earth, is a vast reservoir of swirling matter and stars that contains almost 80 per cent of the galaxy's dense gas."

"The intense gravitational pull and radiation produced by Sagittarius A* create dense, turbulent conditions that cannot be found anywhere else in the Milky Way. Although this region is shrouded in dust, the ALMA telescope is capable of imaging the CMZ's cold gas - the raw material from which stars are born."

The ALMA telescope in Chile captured its largest image, revealing the hidden chemistry of the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) at the Milky Way's heart. Located 28,000 light-years from Earth, this extreme region contains nearly 80 percent of the galaxy's dense gas across 650 light-years. The ALMA CMZ Exploratory Survey (ACES) discovered dozens of molecules ranging from simple silicon monoxide to complex organic compounds like methanol, acetone, and ethanol. These carbon-based molecules are fundamental to understanding how planetary and life ingredients form throughout the universe. The CMZ's intense conditions stem from Sagittarius A*, a supermassive black hole with four million times the sun's mass, creating dense, turbulent environments unique in the Milky Way. ALMA's capability to image cold gas through dust enabled researchers to create an unprecedented detailed mosaic view of this previously elusive region.

Read at Mail Online