ALMA (the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array) observed this spiral of gas around the R star of the Constellation Sculptor, an old star. Stars like the Sun expand as they near the end of their lives and the outer layer of gas rushes out into space. The star R Sculptoris has reached that phase, but the gravity from an unseen companion star circling R Sculptoris has stirred the gas into an unusual spiral pattern. Detailed study of this gas spiral will shed light on the history of the gas expulsion from the old star.

Virtually all of the carbon and oxygen in our bodies was produced by nuclear fusion reactions in the cores of stars. Because the gas flows from old stars act as a mechanism to release these materials into space, they play an important role in the chemical evolution of the entire Universe. For more information please refer to the press release “ Surprising Spiral Structure Spotted by ALMA -- New observations reveal the secrets of a dying star. ”

Author: Masaaki Hiramatsu (NAOJ Chile Observatory)