Scientists have long wondered how the universe’s largest stars grow so fast despite intense radiation that should blow material away.
Breakthrough ALMA Observations
Recent high-resolution observations from ALMA have provided exciting answers. Instead of relying only on traditional accretion disks, these massive young stars receive a steady supply of matter through gigantic gas ‘streamers.’ These cosmic highways stretch across thousands of astronomical units, funneling vast amounts of gas directly onto the growing stars.
Streamers Overcome Stellar Feedback
These colossal streamers can deliver so much material that they overpower the star’s own radiation feedback, allowing it to continue growing. This discovery reshapes our understanding of how the universe’s most massive stars form and evolve. As researchers continue to study these gas highways, we may uncover even more about the dynamic processes shaping galaxies.
Sources:
Science Daily – How hidden cosmic highways feed the Universe’s biggest stars
