Oddball star MWC 349A (IMAGE) National Radio Astronomy Observatory Caption Scientists studying masers— naturally occurring lasers that amplify microwave radio emissions— around the massive star MWC 349A discovered a 500 km/s jet of material launching out of the star’s gas disk from within the winds that are flowing away from the star. The bigger surprise is that the jet may be caused by magnetic forces. This artist’s conception shows a zoomed in view of MWC 349A and its surrounding disk of gas and dust that are being shaped by the winds and high-speed jet. Credit ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Weiss (NRAO/AUI/NSF) Usage Restrictions No restrictions. License Public Domain Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.