Astronomers are marveling at a spectacular structure situated about 1,000 light-years away from Earth, identified as IRAS 23077+6707 (IRAS 23077), which is drawing comparisons to a vast interstellar butterfly.
The structure was first spotted in 2016 by Ciprian T. Berghea, an astronomer from the US Naval Observatory, during observations made using the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS). The enduring nature of IRAS 23077 has sparked curiosity among many about its true nature.
Efforts to unravel the mystery led to follow-up observations by two global astronomer teams utilizing the Submillimeter Array at Hawaii’s Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO). Their research, presented in several reports, indicates that IRAS 23077 is a nascent star encircled by a colossal protoplanetary debris disk, the likes of which we’ve never witnessed before. This finding provides a window into the process of planet formation and the conditions in which it occurs.
Authored by Berghea, the first paper chronicles the detection of a young star at the heart of what appeared to be an enormous planet-forming disk. The second paper, spearheaded by postdoc Kristina Monsch from CfA, supports the existence of this protoplanetary disk by drawing from Pan-STARRS and Submillimeter Array (SMA) data.
While the first paper awaits publication, the second has been published on May 13th in The Astrophysical Journal Letters (respectively).
Protoplanetary disks serve as nurseries for planets, composed of gas and dust settled around fresh stars. With time, these structures morph into concentric rings where protoplanets form and eventually evolve into celestial bodies like rocky planets, gas giants, and icy worlds.
Astronomers use these disks to estimate the size and mass of young stars by analyzing their rotational characteristics. However, accurate observations can be complicated by the disk’s orientation relative to Earth.
Some disks, like IRAS 23077, are seen “edge-on,” with the disk blocking light from the star. Nonetheless, their dust and gas signatures are detectable at millimeter wavelengths, which the SMA excels at observing.
The joint observation effort of Pan-STARRS and SWA led to some astonishing findings about IRAS 23077.
Kristina Monsch of SAO, who directed the SMA observations, shared their results in a recent CfA press release:
“Our eagerness to examine this potential planet-forming disk with the SMA stemmed from initial Pan-STARRS data, prompting our observations. The outcome was astounding – proof that we’ve identified the largest planet-forming disk ever. Its composition of dust and gas, essential for planet creation, was exceptionally rich.”
“Through the SMA’s data, we conclusively verified this structure as a disk, bounding a star potentially two to four times the Sun’s mass. Additionally, we could gauge the mass of dust and gas in this cosmic nursery, determining the presence of enough matter to spawn multiple giant planets – at distances over 300 times greater than that between the Sun and Jupiter!”
After Berghea’s initial observation of IRAS 23077, he whimsically coined the term “Dracula’s Chivito,” a nod to “Gomez’s Hamburger,” a similar edge-on protoplanetary disk.
The term Dracula draws inspiration from the association with Transylvania, Romania, the region where Berghea was raised, near the homeland of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Bram Stoker’s tale. Meanwhile, “chivito,” as proposed by co-author Ana from Uruguay, references a local sandwich that is the national dish of her country. SAO astrophysicist Joshua Bennett Lovell, also an SMA Fellow at CfA, reflected on the implications of the discovery:
“The unveiling of an object as expansive and lustrous as IRAS 23077 raises critical inquiries. What tally of similar entities have evaded our notice? Exhaustive study of IRAS 23077 is warranted to explore the potential paths of planet formation in these rudimentary environments and how they might align with exoplanet systems orbiting stars that outmass our Sun.”
This disk’s unearthing spurs astronomers to delve for comparable structures in our galaxy. Further observation could unveil precious data on planetary systems in the primordial phases of development, enhancing our understanding of the origins of the Solar System.
The SMA is a collaborative telescope network in Hawaii, operated jointly by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) and the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA) in Taiwan. Forexhiba.edu. Read the original article.
FAQ: Discovering the Largest Planet-Forming Disk
- What exactly is IRAS 23077+6707 (IRAS 23077)?
IRAS 23077 is a newly discovered young star encircled by what is believed to be the largest protoplanetary debris disk ever observed. - How far is IRAS 23077 from Earth?
It is located roughly 1,000 light-years away from Earth. - What led to the discovery of this planet-forming disk?
The initial discovery via the Pan-STARRS telescope prompted further observations using the Submillimeter Array at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, which confirmed the presence of the disk. - Why are protoplanetary disks important for astronomers?
Protoplanetary disks are vital for studying the formation of planetary systems and can provide clues to the size and mass of young stars. - What challenges do astronomers face when observing these disks?
Accurate observations can be affected by the disk’s orientation relative to Earth, but certain techniques like submillimeter wavelength observations can overcome this hurdle.
Conclusion
The serendipitous discovery of IRAS 23077, the largest known planet-forming disk, by astronomers poses as a pivotal moment for astrophysical research. This extensive protoplanetary disk challenges our understanding of planetary system formation, especially in environments surrounding stars significantly more massive than our Sun. With techniques like the Submillimeter Array (SMA), astronomers can continue to peer into the dusty environs of young systems like IRAS 23077, fostering greater comprehension of cosmic development and mirroring back the infancy of our own Solar System. Such findings not only expand the boundaries of human knowledge but also fuel the enduring quest to decipher the vast and intriguing celestial narrative in which our small planet is but a page.