Giant Chile telescope spots 'truly exciting' unique cosmic dust spiral

[Judi Lynn]

Giant Chile telescope spots 'truly exciting' unique cosmic dust spiral
Thursday, 11 October, 2012, 12:50pm
Agence France-Presse



Astronomers using a powerful Chile-based telescope have released a rare image of a spiral shell of cosmic dust and gas surrounding a red giant star.

The discovery marks the first time that scientists have found such a structure and obtained full three-dimensional information about the spiral.

Researchers said on Wednesday that a hidden companion start probably created the shape while orbiting the red giant.

The find was made possible by the high sensitivity of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, located 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level deep in Chile’s Atacama Desert.

More:
http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/technology/article/1058560/giant-chile-telescope-spots-truly-exciting-unique-cosmic-dust

[TeamPooka]

1. and it's Mitt Romney's new tax haven. nt

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. No, it is what's left of little boy Ryans debate strategery.

[calimary]

3. OMG! That looks like "The Doomsday Machine" from the original "Star Trek" series!