Particles as tracers for the most massive explosions in the Milky Way
August 11, 2009
V838 Monocerotis briefly became one of the brightest stars in our galaxy. Its outburst discovered in January 2002, observations have indicated that V838 is defying the conventional understanding of erupting stars and stellar life cycles. Photo cred: NASA
Astronomers recently observed a mysterious flux of particles in the universe, and the hope was born that this may be the first observation of the remnants of "dark matter". But scientists from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have shown that there is another explanation of the flux.
Several independent studies recently discovered a mysterious flux of electrons and positrons in the universe. Several theories were presented that suggested that these particles arise from the decay of "dark matter" - the hypothetical material that is believed to influence the rotation of galaxies. Dark matter is one of the most challenging questions in astrophysics. An international research group with members from the University of Gothenburg has now published new results showing that the mysterious flux actually arises from exploding stars.
Supernova remnants
Julia Becker, from the Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg, and her colleagues show in the article, which has been published in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters, that the mysterious particle flux is the remnant of a supernova, from a star that was 15 times more massive than the sun.
This star died and exploded in the Milky Way. When a star of this mass dies, most of its material is ejected and ploughs a pathway through a massive, stellar wind. This wind has been created earlier in the death process, when the star lost part of its original mass. The wind blows away from the star, and the final definitive explosion of the star then drives new material through the previously established wind.
A shock-wave in space
Electrons and positrons are accelerated during the process and create a shock-wave, similar to that formed when an aeroplane breaks the sound barrier. Julia Becker and her colleagues show that it is just such a shock-wave that has created the observed particle flux that has astounded scientists.
"This means, I'm afraid, that scientists will have to find another method of identifying dark matter", says Julia Becker.
More information: The article "Cosmic Ray Electrons and Positrons from Supernova Explosions of Massive Stars" was published in Physical Review Letters on 7 August. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.061101
Provided by University of Gothenburg (news : web)
Feb 12, 2008 |
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It is reassuring to see that ordinary matter explains yet another observation that had been attributed to imaginary "dark matter".
When the physics community starts to study seriously the properties of real matter shown here:
http://tinyurl.com/2otxps
They will probably be persuaded that "dark matter" is only an illusion.
That's my opinion,
Oliver K. Manuel
http://www.omatumr.com
Oliver,
exactly what kind of 'professor' are you, did you get your degree in the mail?
Ok, I understand some people may have an issue with dark matter and dark energy but did you actually read some of the stuff that Oliver has posted on his website. He basically claims that our solar system is a supernova remnant and the current sun is the core of that old star that exploded. Never mind that supernova remnants turn into black holes or neutron stars about 10-20 kilometers wide.
PhD in nuclear chemistry, postdoc fellowship in physics.
My academic research profile is below my signature.
With kind regards,
Oliver K. Manuel
http://myprofile....anuelo09
Why not study seriously the properties of real matter shown here:
http://tinyurl.com/2otxps
Instead of those of imaginary "dark matter" ?
That's my question,
Oliver K. Manuel
http://www.omatumr.com
Alright sorry for my rudeness but I just don't get it, are you saying there is a neutron star at the core of the sun?
You are talking about 'repulsive interactions' that partly powers the sun. Those repulsive interactions found in neutron stars are a result of fermi statistics that says two fermions cannot occupy the same point in space at the same time.
These forces come into play at extremely high densities. There is even some speculation that quark stars may exist, so condensed that even the hadrons are breaking down.
The problem with your theory is that these objects have extreme properties that would rip the sun apart in a matter of minutes or hours if there was one in the core. Some solar material would accumulate on the neutron star while the rest would be blasted out of our solar system, possibly in two jets along the polar spin axis.
Oliver was an actual professor. You can look it up.
Try Oliver K. Manuel in Google or in the Missouri University site.
Neutron or iron. He switches on this. I can't get him to choose on or the other.
He won't deal with that either. Refuses to admit that the minimum size of a neutron star is 1.4 solar masses. Might be why he switches between an iron and a neutron core.
Other things Oliver is silent on.
Why he thinks that the standard models don't adequately explain the lack of helium and hydrogen in the inner solar system.
Where the evidence is that non-free neutrons can fission.
Why no one has detected this alleged behavior in neutrons.
And then there is the matter of why he refuses to discuss this except by reposting the papers that are the ones that are in doubt.
So far no one has got him to discuss this. On at least two separate forums.
Most likely he will now demand your credentials. That is standard when confronted. However in this case you set the precedent.
Ethelred
is a shuddering shameful futile waste
The 21st century Dark-Realm Rush of science in search of Dark Energy-Matter is a shuddering and shameful waste of menpower and of many other resources on a commonsensical futile chase of a grand 100 year old virtual hallucination.
Again and again : dark energy-matter scientists keep chasing their selfmade gibbering tail.
And again and again : On The Origin Of Origins
http://www.the-sc...age#2753
http://www.physfo...ic=14988&st=525&#entry420991
Enough is enough!
Exercise critical thinking beyond Einstein-Hubble and beyond Darwin.
Dark Matter-Energy And Higgs Particle ???
Ponder energy-mass superposition and the Fractal Oneness of the universe.
Ponder the implication of the commonsensical universe scheme on the origin and nature of life.
Suggesting,
Dov Henis
(Comments from 22nd century)
http://profiles.y...MFQSDYEU