天文学家发现M82星爆星系的隐藏细节

时间：2013-12-10 07:01:23

（单词翻译:单击）

Using the new, high-frequency capabilities1 of the National Science Foundation's Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), astronomers2 have captured never-before-seen details of the nearby starburst galaxy3 M82. These new data highlight streamers of material fleeing the disk of the galaxy as well as concentrations of dense4 molecular5 gas surrounding pockets of intense star formation. M82, which is located approximately 12 million light-years away in the constellation6（星座，星群） Ursa Major, is a classic example of a starburst galaxy -- one that is producing new stars tens- to hundreds-of-times faster than our own Milky7 Way. Its relatively8 nearby location made it an ideal target for the GBT's newly equipped "W-Band" receiver, which is capable of detecting the millimeter wavelength9 light that is emitted by molecular gas. This new capability10 makes the GBT the world's largest single-dish, millimeter-wave telescope.
 
"With this new vision, we were able to look at M82 to explore how the distribution of molecular gas in the galaxy corresponded to areas of intense star formation," said Amanda Kepley, a post-doctoral fellow at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory11 (NRAO) in Green Bank, West Virginia, and lead author on a paper accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. "Having this new capability may help us understand why stars form where they do."
 
Astronomers recognize that dense molecular gas goes hand-in-hand with areas of star formation, but the connection is poorly understood and this relationship may be different in different types of galaxies12. By creating wide-angle maps of the gas in galaxies, astronomers hope to better understand this complex interplay.
 
To date, however, these kinds of observations have not been easy since molecules13 that are used to map the distribution of dense gas, like HCN (hydrogen cyanide) and HCO+ (formylium), shine feebly in millimeter light. With its new W-Band receiver, the GBT was able to make highly sensitive, wide-angle images of these gases in and around M82.
 
"The GBT data clearly show billowing concentrations of dense molecular gas huddled14 around areas that are undergoing bursts of intense star formation," said Kepley. "They also reveal giant outflows of ionized gas fleeing the disk of the galaxy. These outflows are driven by star formation deep within the galaxy."
 
This capability will enable astronomers to quickly survey entire galaxies and different parts within galaxies. Such surveys would complement15 higher resolution observations with new Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope in Chile.
 
The 100-meter GBT is located in the National Radio Quiet Zone and the West Virginia Radio Astronomy Zone, which protect the incredibly sensitive telescope from unwanted radio interference.

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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 capabilities f7b11037f2050959293aafb493b7653c     
n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力
参考例句：
  • He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
  • Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
2 astronomers 569155f16962e086bd7de77deceefcbd     
n.天文学者，天文学家( astronomer的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • Astronomers can accurately foretell the date,time,and length of future eclipses. 天文学家能精确地预告未来日食月食的日期、时刻和时长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Astronomers used to ask why only Saturn has rings. 天文学家们过去一直感到奇怪，为什么只有土星有光环。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 galaxy OhoxB     
n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物)
参考例句：
  • The earth is one of the planets in the Galaxy.地球是银河系中的星球之一。
  • The company has a galaxy of talent.该公司拥有一批优秀的人才。
4 dense aONzX     
a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的
参考例句：
  • The general ambushed his troops in the dense woods. 将军把部队埋伏在浓密的树林里。
  • The path was completely covered by the dense foliage. 小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。
5 molecular mE9xh     
adj.分子的；克分子的
参考例句：
  • The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
  • For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。
6 constellation CptzI     
n.星座n.灿烂的一群
参考例句：
  • A constellation is a pattern of stars as seen from the earth. 一个星座只是从地球上看到的某些恒星的一种样子。
  • The Big Dipper is not by itself a constellation. 北斗七星本身不是一个星座。
7 milky JD0xg     
adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的
参考例句：
  • Alexander always has milky coffee at lunchtime.亚历山大总是在午餐时喝掺奶的咖啡。
  • I like a hot milky drink at bedtime.我喜欢睡前喝杯热奶饮料。
8 relatively bkqzS3     
adv.比较...地，相对地
参考例句：
  • The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
  • The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。
9 wavelength 8gHwn     
n.波长
参考例句：
  • The authorities were unable to jam this wavelength.当局无法干扰这一波长。
  • Radio One has broadcast on this wavelength for years.广播1台已经用这个波长广播多年了。
10 capability JsGzZ     
n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等
参考例句：
  • She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
  • Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。
11 observatory hRgzP     
n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台
参考例句：
  • Guy's house was close to the observatory.盖伊的房子离天文台很近。
  • Officials from Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day.格林威治天文台的职员们每天对大钟检查两次。
12 galaxies fa8833b92b82bcb88ee3b3d7644caf77     
星系( galaxy的名词复数 )； 银河系； 一群（杰出或著名的人物）
参考例句：
  • Quasars are the highly energetic cores of distant galaxies. 类星体是遥远星系的极为活跃的核心体。
  • We still don't know how many galaxies there are in the universe. 我们还不知道宇宙中有多少个星系。
13 molecules 187c25e49d45ad10b2f266c1fa7a8d49     
分子( molecule的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
  • Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。
14 huddled 39b87f9ca342d61fe478b5034beb4139     
挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式）
参考例句：
  • We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
  • We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。
15 complement ZbTyZ     
n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足
参考例句：
  • The two suggestions complement each other.这两条建议相互补充。
  • They oppose each other also complement each other.它们相辅相成。

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