Scientists Explores Nature and Possible Origin of Icy Disk

Astronomers have made the first complete millimeter-wavelength image of the ring of dusty debris surrounding the young star Fomalhaut. For the image, the international team of astronomers used Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA).

The amazingly well-defined band of rubble and gas is expected as the result of exo-comets smashing together near the outer edges of a planetary system 25 light-years from Earth.

Before this, ALMA of Fomalhaut was first used in 2012 when the telescope was still under construction. During the first take, the observation revealed only about one-half of the debris disks.

However this time, this first image was merely a test of ALMA's initial capabilities. Additionally, it nevertheless provided exciting hints about the nature and possible origin of the disk.

The new ALMA observations present an attractive whole view of this glowing band of debris stated the researchers. Moreover, the scientists also suggested that there are chemical similarities between its icy contents and comets in our own solar system.

Content: www.sciencedaily.com