Astronomers captured image of most detailed radio map of milky way

Radio-colour map of the Milky Way (Image: International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), S. Mantovanini/GLEAM-X team)

Astronomers have successfully captured a stunning view of the Milky Way’s galactic plane. The image was captured from the Southern Hemisphere, with a wide range of radio wavelengths. It reveals intricate structures and features invisible to optical telescopes.

What has been discovered?

Astronomers have unveiled the most detailed radio-colour map of the Milky Way. The image captures tens of thousands of sources along the Galactic plane.

It reveals structures invisible to traditional optical telescopes and surveys. This achievement provides an extraordinary tool to study star formation and evolution.

Who and where was this discovery made?

The project was led by the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR). The team was led by Silvia Mantovanini who is a PhD student at Curtin University in Australia.

It took her nearly 40,000 hours to compile the data from two surveys. These two surveys are GLEAM and GLEAM‑X radio. The supercomputers processed over 40,000 hours of data to construct the final image.

Why was this Map created?

Astronomers aimed to capture the Milky Way in low-frequency radio detail. Previous surveys lacked resolution, sensitivity, and coverage to map the galaxy fully. The map provides insight into cosmic structures unseen in visible light. It also supports future research on star birth, death and evolution.

What did scientists observe?

The map shows roughly 98,000 radio sources across the galaxy. Compact blue patches highlight star-forming regions packed with energy and activity. Large red bubbles mark remnants of dead stars and supernova events. The colour-coded image allows scientists to distinguish stellar phenomena clearly.

Future Research on Universe

Astronomers will use the map to study pulsars, planetary nebulae, and H II regions. It will serve as a reference for upcoming southern-sky radio surveys. The data will help improve understanding of galaxy structure and evolution. Future projects will build on this foundation to explore the cosmos in greater depth.