[ad_1]
The color reproductions show different parts of the nebula, in its "cold phase", surrounding the star CK Vul. 26AlF, which is now the first radioactive molecule detected in space, can be seen in cyan, green and yellow.
Credit: T. Kamiński; ESO / Y. Beletsky / ALMA photo
For the first time, scientists have detected a radioactive molecule in space – resulting from an old stellar explosion.
In the 17th century, astronomers saw a nova shine in the constellation Vulpecula. But while they could see the star with the naked eye, it was only in 2013 that astronomers were able to trace an unusual isotopic molecular gas toward the event stellar, reigniting interest in nova. Now, in a new investigation, an international research team, led by Tomasz Kamiński of the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysical Center, has shown that the nova was probably caused by the fusion of two stars in what's called a red nova. In a red nova, two stars merge into an explosive event, cool down, and then, in this "cold phase", produce large amounts of molecular gas and dust.
This team observed this molecular gas, 26 AlF, a radioactive isotope of aluminum, 26 Al, in the remains of the nova, known as of CK Vul (or Nova Vul 1670). This is the first time that a radioactive molecule has been detected in space. It is also the first time that an object that produced 26 AlF was directly identified, according to the study published today (July 30) in the journal Nature Astronomy. [Kilonova Photos: Hubble Telescope Spies Cosmic Explosion]
The illustration of this artist shows the collision of two stars, such as those CK Vulpeculae, an ancient stellar explosion that created the 26-aluminum radioactive molecule Source: NRAO / AUI / NSF; S. Dagnello
By observing 26 AlF, scientists can better understand how the fusion occurred in CKUL, according to a statement. In addition, the study of the merger process shows that a stellar collision, like this red nova, can expose even the deepest layers of a star, according to the statement. In this collision, the research team found that in the low-mbad binary system that merged, there was a red-giant star with a mbad between 0.8 and 2.5 solar mbades.
But while this study shone new light on this old collision, it also raised new questions. It has been known for years that there are about two solar mbades of 26 Al across the galaxy, according to the statement. We still do not know where this radioactive material comes from, but with estimates of the mbad of 26 AlF in CK Vul, researchers believe that fusion can not be solely responsible for the totality of the isotope detected, according to the statement. Thus, the amount of isotope found and its origin in the galaxy remain somewhat mysterious.
This artistically created image shows a color reproduction of the nebula surrounding the CK Vul star superimposed on an image of the ALMA antennas in Chile. For the first time, scientists have detected a radioactive molecule in the space of this star.
Credit: T. Kamiński; ESO / Y. Beletsky / ALMA photo
Yet this research has highlighted CK Vul – an object that had not yet been considered a producer 26 AlF. Through this work, the research team also discovered that tools such as the Atacama Large Submillimetric Group (ALMA) could be more useful in the search for 26 producers. Al than the gamma observatories, according to the release. This could be useful in future investigations of stellar remains and 26 AlF in the galaxy.
Email Chelsea Gohd at [email protected] or follow her ] @chelsea_gohd . Follow us @Spacedotcom Facebook and Google+ . Original article on Space.com
[ad_2]
Source link
