Gigantic Cavity in Space Sheds New Light on How Stars Form

Using new 3D maps of gas and dust in interstellar space, astronomers have discovered a huge cavity created by a giant supernova explosion 10 million years ago. The same 3D maps, made possible by new statistical techniques applied to data from the Gaia observatory, are revealing the internal structure of dozens of starforming regions near the Sun, and unveiling the 3D nature of star formation in our galaxy, previously hidden in 2D views. The two AAS papers describing this discovery can be accessed at the links below: 1) 1) Video Credit: Alyssa Goodman, Jasen Chambers and the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard Smithsonian.