Giant Invisible Molecular Cloud Discovered Near Earth
2025-05-02
Astronomers have unexpectedly discovered a massive molecular cloud named Eos, located just 300 light-years from Earth. Measuring roughly 40 times the width of the moon and weighing about 3,400 times the mass of the sun, Eos remained hidden until now because it lacks sufficient carbon monoxide to emit the characteristic signature detected by conventional methods. Researchers detected Eos using far-ultraviolet light emitted by hydrogen molecules, observed by the FIMS-SPEAR spectrograph on the Korean STSAT-1 satellite. Eos' proximity offers a unique opportunity to study star and planet formation.