Telescope in Chile Captures Dramatic Moment of Star Birth

By: Marcia Dunn

Published: August 21,2013

 

 

 

 

 

AP Photo/ESO/ALMA

This image made available by the European Southern Observatory on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013 using radio and visible light frequencies, shows the Herbig-Haro object HH 46/47.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is one baby picture you won't want to miss.
The ALMA telescope in Chile has captured a close-up of the glowing material spewing from a newborn star.
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The stunning images show material streaming from the baby star at incredible speed, glowing as it plows into the surrounding gas and dust. Astronomers say these illuminated jets are spewing out faster than ever measured before and are more energetic than previously thought.
The glowing mass is called a Herbig-Haro object, named after U.S. and Mexican astronomers. This one is 1,400 light-years away in the constellation Vela.
ALMA actually consists of an array of 66 antennas and is relatively new. It's located in one of the driest places on Earth, the Atacama desert.

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The Portland-based photographer captures the Milky Way in Pine Mountain, Ore. (Ben Canales)