Astronomers have recently identified two enigmatic ice spheres located in a remote region of the Milky Way, with properties that defy current understanding of star formation. These objects, first detected in 2021, are situated 30,332 and 43,704 light-years from the Sun, respectively, and are not gravitationally linked.
Initial observations were conducted using the AKARI space telescope between 2006 and 2011. Recent studies utilizing the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile have provided further insights, suggesting that these spheres may either be dense gas clouds or an entirely new type of stellar object.
The infrared observations indicate that the gas surrounding these spheres primarily consists of silicon dioxide and some carbon monoxide, a composition typically associated with young stars. However, given their small size and extremely low temperatures, the likelihood of them being stars is minimal.
Dr. Takashi Shimonishi from Niigata University, who is leading the research, stated that existing theories fail to explain the spectral energy properties of these objects. The research team has applied for observation time with the James Webb Space Telescope to conduct a more detailed analysis.
These ice spheres, measuring 10 times the size of our solar system, present a unique mystery in the field of astronomy. The findings have sparked interest and debate among scientists regarding their origins and classification, indicating a potential discovery of an unknown type of celestial body.