It is the most detailed picture of the galactic plan of the Milky Way

Unity is the strength. It is worth saying this, since thanks to two astronomical research programs called EMU and PEGASUS, astronomers have managed to solve one of the oldest mysteries concerning the Milky Way: where are all the supernova remains? A supernova remnant is nothing more than a cloud of gas and dust marking the last phase of a star’s life. The models predict five times more than the ones we were able to observe. By combining the observations of two Australian radio telescopes, we were able to arrive at an excellent result: this is the most detailed image of the galactic plane of the Milky Way.

The new image of the Milky Way. Credit: EMU/PEGASUS

What the new image of the Milky Way reveals

The new photo reveals lumpy clouds and filaments representing the hydrogen that fills the space between the stars. In the photo are perfectly visible areas where new stars are forming, as well as the famous supernova remains. In this small area of the Milky Way (1%) we discovered more than 20 new potential supernovae remains. But why did we get to see them when we couldn’t before? The answer lies in the power of the new tools with which we are observing our galaxy.

EMU will measure approximately 40 million new distant galaxies and super-massive black holes, to help us understand how galaxies have changed over the course of history. For all telescopes, the size of their images depends on their opening. Interferometers like ASKAP have 36 parables (every 12 metres in diameter) but together they simulate the power of a single giant telescope. The PEGASUS project did the rest, giving the telescope the missing details of the radio emissions, which revealed the hidden gems in our galaxy.

References: The conversation