Rare Dust Particle from Supernova Discovered in Meteorite: Insights into Star Formation

2024-04-26 18:05:19

Researchers have discovered a rare dust particle in a meteorite, created by a star other than our sun. Using advanced atom probe tomography, they analyzed the particle’s unique magnesium isotopic ratio, revealing its origin as a newly identified type of hydrogen-burning supernova. This breakthrough provides deeper insights into cosmic events and star formation. Credit: twoday.co.il.com

Scientists have discovered a meteorite particle with an unprecedented magnesium isotopic ratio, indicating its origin from a hydrogen-burning supernova.

Research has discovered a rare dust particle trapped in an ancient extraterrestrial meteorite formed by a star other than our sun.

The discovery was made by lead author Dr. Nicole Neville and her colleagues during her PhD studies at Curtin University, now working at the Institute of Lunar and Stellar Sciences in collaboration with

NASA

Established in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that succeeded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). It is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Its vision is "To discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity." Its core values are "safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and inclusion." NASA conducts research, develops technology and launches missions to explore and study Earth, the solar system, and the universe beyond. It also works to advance the state of knowledge in a wide range of scientific fields, including Earth and space science, planetary science, astrophysics, and heliophysics, and it collaborates with private companies and international partners to achieve its goals.

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Meteorites and presolar grains

Meteorites are mostly composed of material formed in our solar system and can also contain tiny particles originating from stars that were born long before our sun.

Clues that these particles, known as presolar grains, are remnants from other stars are found by analyzing the different types of elements within them.

Innovative analytical techniques

Dr. Neville used a technique called

atom

An atom is the smallest component of an element. It is made up of protons and neutrons within the nucleus, and electrons circling the nucleus.

” data-gt-translate-attributes=”({” attribute=”” tabindex=”0″ role=”link”>אָטוֹם Probe tomography to analyze the particle and reconstruct the chemistry at an atomic scale, accessing the information hidden within.

“These particles are like celestial time capsules, providing a snapshot of the life of their parent star,” Dr Neville said.

“The material formed in our solar system has predictable ratios of isotopes – versions of elements with different numbers of neutrons. The particle we analyzed has a ratio of magnesium isotopes different from anything in our solar system.

“The results were just off the charts. The most extreme magnesium isotopic ratio from previous studies of presolar grains was about 1,200. The grain in our study has a value of 3,025, which is the highest ever discovered.

“This exceptionally high isotopic ratio can only be explained by formation in a recently discovered type of star – a hydrogen-burning supernova.”

Breakthroughs in astrophysics

Co-author Dr David Saxe, from the John de Leiter Center at the Curtin, said the research is groundbreaking in how we understand the universe, pushing the boundaries of both analytical techniques and astrophysical models.

“Probing the atom gave us a whole level of detail that we weren’t able to access in previous studies,” said Dr. Saksi.

“A hydrogen-burning supernova is a type of star that was only recently discovered, around the same time we analyzed the tiny dust particle. Using the atomic probe in this study gives a new level of detail that helps us understand how these stars formed.”

Linking laboratory findings to cosmic phenomena

Co-author Professor Phil Bland, from Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, said new discoveries from the study of rare particles in meteorites allow us to gain insights into cosmic events beyond our own solar system.

“It’s just amazing to be able to relate atomic-scale measurements in the laboratory to a newly discovered type of star.”

The study titled “An atomic-scale element and isotopic investigation of 25Mg-rich stardust from an H-burning supernova” Posted in