ALMA is Watching a Massive Binary Star System Form

• ALMA observed a massive binary system forming, with the stars following an elongated orbit and surrounded by gas disks with strong tilts. The system, IRAS 07299−1651, is about 5,500 light years away and was first observed in 2019. The study used a combination of radio and infrared observations to track the stars' movements for almost 8 years.
• The researchers concluded that the binary system formed through a "core-merger" scenario, where two initially unbound cores underwent a near-parabolic encounter, leading to the formation of a binary with a separation of about 200 astronomical units. This process is not explained by disk fragmentation, which is inconsistent with the observed properties.
• The findings suggest that the formation of massive binaries can occur through core-merger scenarios, rather than disk fragmentation. The study highlights the importance of understanding how massive stars form and evolve, particularly in binary systems, and provides insight into the formation of eccentric massive binaries.

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