ALMA reveals Milky Way's core in largest-ever mosaic, tracing cold gas filaments
Phys.org
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Astronomers have unveiled an extraordinary new image of the Milky Way's central region using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), capturing a vast network of cosmic gas filaments in unprecedented detail. This groundbreaking mosaic, the largest ALMA image to date, provides a wealth of data for studying star formation and the extreme conditions near the galaxy's supermassive black hole.
The image reveals intricate structures of cold molecular gas stretching across 400 light-years, offering a detailed view of how stars form in one of the most dynamic environments in our galaxy. These filaments, some extending hundreds of light-years, serve as pathways for star birth, influenced by the powerful gravitational forces and radiation from the black hole.
This research is significant because it sheds light on the processes occurring in galactic nuclei, regions that are critical for understanding the evolution of galaxies. By analyzing these gas formations, astronomers can gain insights into how supermassive black holes interact with their surroundings and how star clusters form under extreme conditions.
The findings also highlight ALMA's capabilities as a powerful tool for studying the universe's hidden structures. The dataset from this project will likely inspire further research into the Milky Way's core, providing new clues about its history and future evolution. This work underscores the importance of large-scale astronomical surveys in advancing our understanding of the cosmos.
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/25/2026