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Telescope captures dramatic close-up of baby bound to be a star

ALMA
This image made available by the European Southern Observatory on Tuesday using radio and visible light frequencies shows the Herbig-Haro object HH 46/47. The orange and green, lower right, of the newborn star reveal a large energetic jet moving away from the Earth, which is hidden by dust and gas. To the left, in pink and purple, the visible part of the jet is seen, streaming partly toward Earth. Astronomers say these illuminated jets from the newborn star are spewing out faster than ever measured before and are more energetic than previously thought.AP Photo / ESO / ALMA (ESO / NAOJ / NRAO) / H. Arce, Bo Reipurth

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- This is one baby picture you won't want to miss.

The ALMA telescope in Chile has captured a close-up of the glowing material spewing from a newborn star.

The stunning images show material streaming from the baby star at incredible speed, glowing as it plows into the surrounding gas and dust. Astronomers say these illuminated jets are spewing out faster than ever measured before and are more energetic than previously thought.

The glowing mass is called a Herbig-Haro object, named after U.S. and Mexican astronomers. This one is 1,400 light-years away in the constellation Vela.

ALMA actually consists of an array of 66 antennas and is relatively new. It's located in one of the driest places on Earth, the Atacama desert.

Online:
European Southern Observatory