The Deep-Frozen Flying Saucer

[Waspie_Dwarf]

The Deep-Frozen Flying Saucer

ALMA finds unexpectedly cold grains in planet-forming disc

Astronomers have used the ALMA and IRAM telescopes to make the first direct measurement of the temperature of the large dust grains in the outer parts of a planet-forming disc around a young star. By applying a novel technique to observations of an object nicknamed the Flying Saucer they find that the grains are much colder than expected: −266 degrees Celsius. This surprising result suggests that models of these discs may need to be revised.

The international team, led by Stephane Guilloteau at the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux, France, measured the temperature of large dust grains around the young star 2MASS J16281370-2431391 in the spectacular Rho Ophiuchi star formation region, about 400 light-years from Earth.

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[Lilly]

'Deep frozen flying saucer' sounds like a great name for an ice cream treat!

That's pretty interesting that planetary formation is taking place at such a cold temperature.