A Colossal Cloud with a Stellar Secret
There's a massive cloud in space, bursting with molecules, dust and cold, dense regions. This behemoth, known as the Sagittarius B2 molecular cloud, is just a few hundred light-years away from the gigantic black hole located at the heart of our galaxy. This cloud is no ordinary cosmic feature; it's a stellar nursery, the birthplace of half of the stars in the central region of the Milky Way.
Understanding the Sagittarius B2 Molecular Cloud
The Sagittarius B2 molecular cloud is one of the most massive in the galaxy, with a total mass between 3 and 10 million times that of the Sun and a size spanning 150 light-years. It's located 26,000 light-years from our planet in the constellation Sagittarius. Notably, the cloud is also rich in chemistry, with various complex molecules identified within its bounds.
However, the cloud's enormous size and molecular richness aren't its only intriguing features. There's a puzzling enigma surrounding this cloud: despite holding just 10% of the gas located in the galactic center, it's responsible for producing half of the stars in the region. This impressive star-forming efficiency has left scientists scratching their heads.
A Glimpse into the Cloud's Mysterious Star-Producing Ability
Scientists used an advanced space telescope to get a better look at this mysterious star factory. They hoped to uncover clues about its unusual productivity. The telescope's mid-infrared instrument captured a mesmerizing image of the molecular complex, showing clumps of dust and gas glowing in various shades of pink, purple, and red.
The dark areas surrounding the colorful clumps are not empty spaces. Rather, they are regions where the light is blocked by dense dust, making them undetectable by the instrument. In star-forming areas like the Sagittarius B2, the warm dust, gas, and only the brightest stars emit light in the mid-infrared spectrum. This is contrary to the image captured by the telescope's near-infrared camera, which shows a plethora of stars as they emit more strongly in the near-infrared light.
Clues Hidden in the Colorful Glow
In the captured image, certain areas on the right side of the cloud complex appear redder than others. These areas are known to be one of the most chemically complex regions in space. Scientists believe that this unique region could contain clues as to why the Sagittarius B2 is a more efficient star producer compared to other areas in the galactic center.
Moreover, further examination of the masses and ages of the stars born in this stellar nursery could provide valuable information about the star-forming processes at work in the center of the Milky Way.