A cosmic structure located roughly 1,000 light-years away from Earth known as IRAS 23077+6707, or IRAS 23077, has drawn the attention of astronomers due to its resemblance to a giant butterfly. This structure, initially observed by astronomer Ciprian T. Berghea in 2016, has remained unchanged for years, prompting two international teams of astronomers to conduct follow-up observations using the Submillimeter Array at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Hawaii.
The teams, led by Berghea and CfA postdoc Kristina Monsch, have revealed that IRAS 23077 is not a cosmic butterfly but a young star surrounded by a massive protoplanetary debris disk. This disk, the largest ever observed, offers invaluable insights into planet formation and the unique environments in which it occurs.
Protoplanetary disks are essentially planetary nurseries composed of gas and dust surrounding newly formed stars. Over time, these disks evolve into rings as material coalesces into protoplanets in specific orbits, eventually giving rise to rocky planets, gas giants, and icy bodies. Astronomers study these disks to determine the size and mass of young stars, as they exhibit distinct rotation signatures.
While some protoplanetary disks are oriented in a way that makes them fully visible to Earth observers (“face-on”), others, like IRAS 23077, are only visible “edge-on,” obscuring light from the parent star. Despite this challenge, the dust and gas signatures of these disks are bright at millimeter wavelengths, making them detectable by instruments like the Submillimeter Array.
When the Pan-STARRS and SAO teams observed IRAS 23077 with the Submillimeter Array, they made a remarkable discovery. Kristina Monsch, who led the campaign, described the findings as “incredible,” highlighting the abundance of dust and gas in the disk, crucial components for planet formation. Furthermore, the data indicated that the disk is rotating around a young star that is likely two to four times more massive than the Sun.
The discovery of IRAS 23077, affectionately nicknamed “Dracula’s Chivito” by Berghea and his team, raises important questions about similar structures in the galaxy. Further studies of IRAS 23077 are essential to understanding the formation of planets in extreme young environments and their comparison to exoplanet populations around distant stars. This discovery also motivates astronomers to search for similar objects in our galaxy, offering valuable insights into planetary systems in the earliest stages of formation.
The discovery of IRAS 23077 and its massive protoplanetary disk opens up new avenues for research in planet formation and the origins of our Solar System. The detailed observations made possible by instruments like the Submillimeter Array provide valuable data for understanding the complex processes that lead to the creation of planets and planetary systems. Further exploration and study of objects like IRAS 23077 are crucial for expanding our knowledge of the universe and our place within it.