The universe contains 1.5 times more calcium than previously calculated. This conclusion was drawn by astronomers at the SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research after using the XMM-Newton observatory of the European Space Agency.
This research will provide scientists with new insights into the history of matter formation in the universe, where supernova explosions play a crucial role.
The iron atoms in our blood, the oxygen we breathe, the calcium atoms in our bones, the silicon in sand, and all other atoms in our body are created in the violent final moments of massive stars when they explode. These explosions are known as supernovae, and they eject newly formed chemical elements into the universe, where they become the building blocks for the formation of stars, planets, and even life. However, the question of how these elements formed and how they are distributed in the universe remains unanswered.
According to Jelle de Plaa, a space researcher at SRON, the answers to these questions lie within distant galaxy clusters in the universe. He states: “In many respects, galaxy clusters are like large cities in the universe. They contain hundreds of galaxies, and each galaxy has billions of stars. The galaxies are enveloped in a massive hot gas cloud, resembling a fog. Due to their immense size and number, galaxy clusters account for a significant portion of the total mass in the universe. Over billions of years, supernova explosions have enriched the surrounding gas with heavy elements like oxygen, silicon, and iron.”
By utilizing the XMM-Newton observatory, De Plaa identified a large quantity of oxygen, neon, silicon, sulfur, argon, calcium, iron, and nickel present in 22 galaxy clusters. He observed “pollution” created by 100 billion supernova explosions. When comparing this to theoretical models of supernova explosions, he found that the amount of calcium he measured with the XMM-Newton observatory was 1.5 times greater than previous theoretical calculations.
The Dance of Death
De Plaa and his colleagues also discovered that many supernova explosions in various galaxy clusters result from the dance of death of two stars as they orbit each other. A white dwarf star will absorb all the material from its companion star. This material will form a layer on the surface of the white dwarf. Once it reaches a certain mass, the core of the white dwarf can no longer support the weight of the surrounding material, leading to a supernova explosion.
De Plaa explains, “About half of all supernova explosions that have occurred in numerous galaxy clusters happen in this manner. This rate is over 15% higher than in our own galaxy.”
These research findings are invaluable for scientists developing models of supernova explosions. De Plaa states, “Until now, supernova experts have had to speculate about exactly how supernova explosions occur.” He further explains, “Because we calculate based on the remnants of 100 billion supernova explosions simultaneously, we obtain more accurate average results than all previous calculations. This will help researchers understand better how white dwarfs ‘die.’”
Thế Kiệt
