Astronomers have discovered an “interstellar tunnel” near the Solar System, which can connect our zone with other star systems. According to a study in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, this tunnel is part of a large hot gas structure known as the Local Hot Bubble, with a radius of hundreds of light-years. Scientists suggest that this LHB may be connected with another, even larger bubble.
Using data from the eROSITA X-ray telescope, scientists have created a 3D model of the bubble, which confirms previous hypotheses, as well as reveals new details. In particular, as noted by Michael Freyberg, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute, the model made it possible to detect an “interstellar tunnel” in the direction of the constellation Centauri, cutting through the cold interstellar medium.
The idea of the existence of a Local Hot Bubble dates back more than half a century, when astronomers tried to explain the source of background X-ray radiation that should have been absorbed by the interstellar medium – the diffuse matter from which stars form. However, if there was a cavity in our zone of interstellar space, it would explain why X-rays can reach us. According to scientists, this “bubble” appeared about 14 million years ago due to a series of supernova explosions that blew away interstellar material and created a cavity with a diameter of 1000 light years. According to the researchers, the remnants of these supernovae can still be observed today.
Although the Local Hot Bubble hypothesis has long had conflicting data, modern observations, particularly of young stars at its boundary, support its existence. According to the researchers, the interstellar tunnel may be part of a large-scale network of such cavities located in the Milky Way and created as a result of supernova explosions.
Analysis of the temperature in the LHB shows that the northern part of this structure is noticeably hotter than the southern part, which may be a consequence of recent supernova explosions that have further expanded and heated the LHB.
We previously reported on how wormholes could send messages from deep space.
Provided by space.com
