A groundbreaking observation has revealed a record-setting explosion outside our galaxy, providing insights into the dynamics of binary systems and the influence of surrounding conditions on these eruptions.
Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, LMCN 1968-12a is the first recurrent nova outside our galaxy to have been studied in near-infrared light. This event has produced extremely high temperatures, reaching as high as 5.4 million degrees Fahrenheit (3 million degrees Celsius), making it one of the hottest novas ever recorded.
The study uses data from large telescopes like Gemini South and Magellan Baade to analyze the light emitted by various elements during the eruption. The researchers found a clear spike in ionized silicon, which was 95 times brighter than the sun’s light across all its wavelengths. This unexpected dominance of silicon implies an unusually high gas temperature.
The team’s modeling confirmed this finding, indicating that the highly violent eruption is connected to the conditions surrounding the nova. In contrast, high-metallicity systems alter the process, while low-metallicity material leads to more intense nova events. The study authors suggest that using large telescopes like Gemini South will enhance our understanding of these processes in various chemical environments.
This observation marks a significant milestone in the study of recurrent novas outside our galaxy, providing new insights into the dynamics of binary systems and the influence of surrounding conditions on these eruptions.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-detect-record-setting-explosion-160000736.html