Astronomers have discovered two objects in space that at first glance resemble known stages of star formation. However, their unique characteristics challenge traditional ideas about the process of star formation. The study has been accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal and is now available on the preprint server ArXiv. The process of star formation involves the creation of ice molecules, which play a key role in the chemical evolution of the regions where stars and planetary systems form. The researchers note that gas clouds around partially formed stars absorb light at specific wavelengths associated with ice molecules. So when infrared imaging of the galactic plane revealed two objects with signs of such absorption, it was not particularly surprising. However, further observations revealed oddities: these objects are not located in known star-forming regions and do not appear to be surrounded by dense clouds. In addition, their infrared energy peaks at a wavelength of 5 micrometers, which is not consistent with either young stellar objects or stars located behind dense clouds. To study the objects in more detail, astronomers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope. During the observations, spectral lines of carbon monoxide and silicon oxide were detected, as well as signals indicating gas emissions. However, dust emissions were not recorded, which complicates the interpretation of the data. The researchers concluded that these objects may represent a previously unknown type of isolated icy object. They are located in the same direction from Earth in the Crux-Scutum arm of the Milky Way, but are at a significant distance from each other. Object 1 may be between 6,500 and 30,000 light years away, and object 2 is approximately 43,700 light years away. This creates additional complications in interpreting the data, as other objects in the same direction have been confidently estimated at different distances. If the distances to these objects are correct, they are very bright – emitting at least 30 times more light than the Sun, and possibly hundreds of times more. This raises questions about how they can be surrounded by ice, since high-mass stars do not usually have such characteristics. The researchers also consider the possibility that these objects could be highly evolved AGB stars that have ejected large amounts of material capable of forming ice at great distances from the stellar heat. However, this is only a hypothesis at this point, and the authors emphasize that the objects are different from any known type of highly evolved star. To further study the mysterious objects, a team of astronomers has applied to use the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), but they will have to wait their turn. The post Astronomers have discovered stars “covered” in ice for the first time appeared first on Anomalien.com.