US EditionAstronomers Capture 1st Direct Images of Collisions in a Nearby Star System: 'It's Like Looking Back in Time'
Hubble observed two massive collisions producing dust clouds from 60 km-wide objects in Fomalhaut's debris disk, revealing 300 million planetesimals in this young system.
- On December 18, the Hubble Space Telescope directly imaged two catastrophic collisions producing debris clouds cs1 and cs2 around Fomalhaut, marking the first large-object impacts seen beyond our solar system.
- Fomalhaut, a young star system around 25 light-years away and 440 million years old, shows collisions common in young systems that probe planetesimal composition and formation, researchers said.
- Analyses indicate the colliding bodies were about 37 miles across, cs2 is around 30% brighter than the 2003 cloud, and it can mimic an extrasolar planet.
- Researchers warn the transient nature of cs1 and cs2 challenges exoplanet imaging, and Kalas secured Hubble monitoring time for three years plus James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam follow-up.
- Future observations aim to determine whether cs2 contains water ice and volatiles, supported by prior carbon monoxide detection, while tracing cs2’s shape and brightness changes influenced by starlight.
12 Articles
12 Articles
In the course of observations of the star Fomalhaut with the Space Telescope, close from a purely astronomical point of view, "Hubble" astronomers suddenly saw a bright light point that appeared out of nowhere. It quickly became clear that they had witnessed a massive collision of two asteroids. Scientists recognized that "Hubble" in 2023 had captured the violent collision of two massive objects, an extraordinary event that is similar in our pre…
Hubble Captures Rare Collision in Nearby Planetary System, Revealing Violent Planet Formation
Astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have witnessed rare collisions between rocky bodies in the Fomalhaut system. The glowing debris clouds created by these impacts offer a unique glimpse into how planets form and highlight challenges in identifying true exoplanets.
The Hubble Space Telescope has discovered evidence of massive collisions in the planetary system of the star Fomalhaut, located 25 light-years from Earth. Astronomers have detected the formation of two giant clouds of debris resulting from the impacts of massive celestial bodies. Fomalhaut, located in the constellation Piscis Austrinus (Australian Fish), is significantly brighter and more massive than the Sun. The star is surrounded by several c…
The Hubble Space Telescope has detected light point in a neighboring star system. They are believed to be debris clouds from the collision of celestial bodies.
Astronomers witness a violent space collision around a nearby star
Astronomers have captured something extraordinary: the aftermath of a violent collision between large space rocks in another planetary system. Using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, scientists watched what first looked like a distant planet appear, disappear, and then reappear elsewhere—only to realize they were not seeing planets at all, but glowing clouds of debris created by […] The post Astronomers witness a violent space collision around a ne…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center, 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
