On Wednesday, October 10, ALMA’s high-power telescopes in the
north of Chile revealed a never-before-seen phenomenon roughly
1,500 light-years away from Earth: A distinctive and surprising
spiral formation has been found surrounding a dying giant red
star. In addition, “R Sculptoris,” as this star has been named,
emitted far more gas and material than expected by scientists.
These new observations and three-dimensional data could help us
understand our own solar system and how it will unravel billions
of years from now. ALMA, still under construction, will be the
world’s most powerful telescope aided by the data collected by
66 gigantic antennae located in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert,
5000 meters above sea level. It is run by an international team
of scientists and has some of the most favorable conditions for
astronomical observation on the planet. While new discoveries
were anticipated, the fact that they have begun so soon and even
before its official inauguration in 2013 is very promising for
ALMA’s f