[Commentary] On April 29th, the reporter learned from the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences that the station ’s "galaxy scroll" survey plan released another important result. The research team discovered two giant molecular clouds that contained stars in the Milky Way. The researchers named them "Dajiang Molecular Cloud" and "Phoenix Molecular Cloud".
[Explanation] It is understood that the Milky Way in which humans are located is a spiral galaxy, and some dense cloud clusters are hidden near its spiral arms, some of which are mainly composed of hydrogen molecules, that is, molecular clouds.
[Same period] Su Yang, Associate Researcher, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences
In the process of the molecular cloud's continuous collapse, the pressure and temperature increase, and the original star embryo is gradually formed. When the nuclear fusion energy in the original star embryo is enough to resist its own gravity, a new star is born. Therefore, we believe that molecular clouds are the predecessors of stars, also known as "the cradle of stars".
[Commentary] The "Dajiang Molecular Cloud" and "Phoenix Molecular Cloud" discovered this time are located in the Great Rift Valley of Aquila. Among them, the "Dajiang Molecular Cloud" is about 1300 light-years away from the solar system. From the morphological point of view, it is like a long river winding in the universe. The "Phoenix Molecular Cloud" is like a big bird spreading its wings. It is about 2000 light-years away from the solar system.
[Same period] Su Yang, Associate Researcher, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Both the "Dajiang Molecular Cloud" and the "Phoenix Molecular Cloud" are "big men" in the Milky Way. We found in our research that evidence of star formation can be directly seen from the "Dajiang Molecular Cloud".
[Explanation] It is understood that the "Galactic Scroll" survey plan mainly observes the area of the north sky's galactic surface ± 5, etc. The total observation range is 2600 square degrees. The plan began in 2011 and was led by the Purple Mountain Observatory, completing approximately 250 square degrees of observation each year. The "Galactic Scroll" will achieve many scientific goals such as discovering and compiling the source table of molecular clouds in all regions, and analyzing the physical and chemical properties of molecular clouds. This research will be of great significance for humans to understand the origin of stars, planets, and the entire Milky Way.
Reporter Ge Yong from Nanjing, Jiangsu
Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]