Local Bubble

  • IASbaba
  • January 14, 2023
  • 0
Science and Technology
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In News: Researchers from the Center for Astrophysics (CfA) | Harvard & Smithsonian have generated a 3D magnetic map of the cavity called Local Bubble.

Local Bubble:

  • It is a 1,000-light-year-wide cavity or a superbubble.
  • Local Bubble is thought to have originated from supernovae roughly 14 million years ago.  (Supernova is a cosmic explosion occurring when stars meet their end)
  • Other superbubbles also exist in the Milky Way –
  • Superbubbles are comparable to holes in Swiss cheese – Supernova explosions blow holes in the cheese and new stars form around these holes

Significance:

  • Superbubbles trigger the formation of new stars and planets and influence the overall shapes of galaxies
  • Star-forming regions occur along the bubble’s surface.

About the study:

  • Mechanisms powering the formation and expansion of the Local Bubble are not well-understood
  • Further, there is little information on how magnetic fields likely impact the bubble and local star formation.
  • To generate a magnetic map of the Local Bubble, Gaia and Planck were used — space-based observatories launched by the European Space Agency (ESA)
  • Gaia was used to identify the location and local concentration of cosmic dust. This helped them trace the boundaries of the Local Bubble.
  • Planck provided information on the magnetic alignment of cosmic dust. This alignment can indicate the orientation of the magnetic field acting on the dust particles, allowing the researchers to generate a 3D magnetic field orientation on the surface of the Local Bubble
  • It is expected to improve the 3-D map’s accuracy with technology and a clearer understanding of the Local Bubble

Source: DTE

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidence/evidences for the continued expansion of universe? (2012)

  1. Detection of microwaves in space
  2. Observation of redshift phenomenon in space
  3. Movement of asteroids in space
  4. Occurrence of supernova explosions in space code

Which of the following statements are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1, 3 and 4
  4. None of the above

 

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