The birth of a monster star seen at different wavelengths of light

This composite shows the region around the massive star-forming region SDC 335.579-0.292 seen using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope and ALMA. The Spitzer view is at infrared wavelengths (3.6, 4.5 and 8.0 microns) and the ALMA view is at wavelengths around three millimetres. The yellow blob at the centre of the ALMA images is a stellar womb with over 500 times the mass than the Sun — the largest ever seen in the Milky Way. The embryonic star within is hungrily feeding on the material that is racing inwards. It is expected to give birth to a very brilliant star with up to 100 times the mass of the Sun.

Credit:

ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/NASA/JPL-Caltech/GLIMPSE

About the Image

Id:eso1331d
Type:Observation
Release date:10 July 2013, 12:00
Related releases:eso1331
Size:4096 x 1244 px

About the Object

Name:SDC 335.579-0.292
Type:Milky Way : Nebula : Type : Star Formation
Distance:11000 light years
Category:Nebulae
Stars

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Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Infrared
Channel 1
3.6 μm Spitzer Space Telescope
IRAC (Spitzer)
Infrared
Channel 2
4.5 μm Spitzer Space Telescope
IRAC (Spitzer)
Infrared
Channel 4
8.0 μm Spitzer Space Telescope
IRAC (Spitzer)
Millimeter
Band 3
3.2 mmAtacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array