Nuclear physicists question origin of radioactive beryllium in the solar system
Scientists have discovered that a rare element, beryllium-10, found in some of the oldest solids in the solar system, such as meteorites, actually predated the formation of the solar system. This challenges long-held theories about its origin.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory studied the radioactive isotope beryllium-10 and found that it’s unlikely to have been formed during supernova explosions. Instead, they suggest that it’s more likely the result of an interaction with cosmic rays and other isotopes.
When a star dies, it ejects atoms into space, which eventually collect to form new stars and planets. Cosmic rays can collide with these atoms, breaking them apart and creating beryllium-10.
The scientists used computational resources to calculate the amounts of different elements and isotopes produced by supernova explosions. They found that supernovae are unlikely to produce enough beryllium-10 to explain its presence in meteorites.
Their study suggests that spallation, an interaction with cosmic rays, is the source of beryllium-10. This challenges the idea that the formation of the solar system was directly triggered by a supernova.
The findings help us understand the history of the solar system and the galaxy as a whole.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-07-nuclear-physicists-radioactive-beryllium-solar.html