Researchers using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have studied the powerful winds in the center of the spiral galaxy NGC 253, which play a crucial role in the life cycle of stars and galaxies. The study challenges earlier models by showing that these winds are not spherical but more focused, and de
Data from Chandra show the effects of powerful winds launched from the center of a nearby galaxy. An amount of hot gas equivalent to about two million Earth masses blows away from the galaxy’s center every year. These images of NGC 253 include Chandra data showing that these winds blow to the upper right and lower left. The images also show visible light data from Kitt Peak, emission from hydrogen, and infrared data from Spitzer.
NGC 253 gives astronomers a keyhole through which to study this important phase in the stellar life cycle. The material that the young stars send out into intergalactic space across hundreds of light-years is enriched with elements forged in their interior. These elements, which include many responsible for life on Earth, are folded into the next generations of stars and planets.
A team led by Sebastian Lopez of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, used deep Chandra observations, taken over four days, to study the properties of the wind. They found that the densities and temperatures of the gas in the wind are the highest in regions less than about 800 light-years from the center of the galaxy — and then decrease with distance farther away.
A hint about what is missing comes from the team’s observation that the wind cools rapidly as it moves away from the center of the galaxy. This suggests that the wind is plowing up cooler gas, causing the wind to cool and slow down. Such a ‘wind plow’ effect might be the extra physics required to produce better agreement between theory and observations.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Gusty winds to start the weekA weather system will pass by to our north today into Tuesday bringing breezy winds and a few degrees of cooling each day.
Consulte Mais informação »
San Francisco windows being inspected, replaced after storm windsIn the wake of the problems caused by high winds in downtown San Francisco during this year's storms, there's a new effort to make sure windows in high-rises don't pose a safety threat to people walking below.
Consulte Mais informação »
Today will bring strong winds and fire concernsA weather system passing by to the northeast will bring gusty winds and fire weather concerns this afternoon, mainly well east of Tucson.
Consulte Mais informação »
Snap a Pic With R2-D2 at the Academy Museum's ‘Star Wars Day' CelebrationMay the 4th be with you: The Miracle Mile movieverse will be the stellar spot for all sorts of galactic goings-on.
Consulte Mais informação »
Defendant in California triple homicide says he drank 12 beers hours before collisionAnurag Chandra, who said he was ‘extremely, extremely mad’ at the time also blamed the driver of the car that contained five other teenagers for the crash.
Consulte Mais informação »