Astronomers from the International Centre of Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) have unveiled the largest low-frequency radio image of the Milky Way. This stunning image reveals a new view of our galaxy from the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing it through various radio light colors.
This research is detailed in a paper published in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia. It opens new paths for astronomers to explore how stars are born, evolve, and eventually die.
Silvia Mantovanini, a Ph.D. student at ICRAR, devoted 18 months and over 40,000 hours to create this image. She used powerful supercomputers at the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre to process extensive survey data.
The surveys were conducted using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) telescope in Western Australia. The two major projects involved were the GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky MWA (GLEAM) and its extended version, GLEAM-X. The data collection spanned multiple nights from 2013 to 2020, gathering a wealth of information.
This new image offers double the resolution and ten times the sensitivity compared to a previous GLEAM image from 2019. The advancements allow astronomers to see more details in our galaxy, providing richer insights into its structure.
As Mantovanini described, “This vibrant image gives a brand-new perspective at low radio frequencies.” It reveals crucial aspects of star evolution, including where new stars form and how they interact with their surroundings.
She focuses on supernova remnants—clouds of gas and energy left after a star’s explosive end. While many remnants have been found, thousands more are still hidden, waiting to be discovered. The new image helps distinguish between gases surrounding young stars and those linked to old ones, illustrating a clearer cosmic picture.
In addition, this research might shed light on the mystery of pulsars, rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit radio waves. By examining different frequencies, astronomers hope to understand more about these fascinating objects.
Associate Professor Natasha Hurley-Walker, a principal investigator at ICRAR, emphasized the significance of this work. She stated, “This low-frequency image allows us to unveil large astrophysical structures in our galaxy that are often hard to see at higher frequencies.” It marks the first time a complete low-frequency radio image of the Southern Galactic Plane has been created, making it an exciting milestone in modern astronomy.
Looking ahead, the SKA Observatory’s SKA-Low telescope, set to be completed within the next decade, is expected to advance this research even further by surpassing this image in sensitivity and resolution.
During their surveys, researchers cataloged around 98,000 radio sources across the Galactic Plane visible from the Southern Hemisphere. This diverse mix included pulsars, planetary nebulae, and distant galaxies, providing a unique glimpse into the universe.
For more insights, check out the original paper in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia: [DOI: 10.1017/pasa.2025.10094](https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/pasa.2025.10094).
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