Composite image of BYF 73 with magnetic fields overlayed.
Formation of Massive Star Caught in the Act with Magnetic Field Mapping
Date

The magnetic field orientations of BYF 73, as derived from SOFIA data, are overlain on a composite image of the region taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope and Anglo-Australian Telescope. The circled areas are locations of protostars in the region identified by ALMA and the Gemini Observatory. These studies help astronomers uncover the relationship between magnetism and gravity in star formation.

Credit
NASA/Spitzer/SOFIA/ALMA/Gemini/AAT/Barnes et al.
Image Number
SCI2023_0002