Unlocking the mysteries of convection and motion on the surface of a distant star

Astronomers have captured detailed images of a distant star, R Doradus, using the ALMA telescope for the first time. These images revealed the bubbling motion of giant, hot gas bubbles on the star’s surface, providing insights into convection, the distribution of heavy elements, and stellar behavior. The observations have expanded our understanding of stars and offered a glimpse into the future, indicating how our Sun may appear in five billion years as it transitions into a red giant.