Stellar lithium deficiency linked to planet formation
Posted: Thu, Nov 12, 2009, 7:24 AM ET (1224 GMT)
A deficiency of lithium in a star's atmosphere may be a sign of the presence of planets, astronomers reported this week. In a paper in the journal Nature, astronomers surveyed 30 Sun-like stars known to have planets and found nearly all had unusually low levels of lithium, just as the Sun does. Astronomers speculate that the presence of planets robs the stars of angular momentum, causing them to spin more slowly; this, in turn, causes the lithium in the atmospheres to fall to the surface and be destroyed.
A deficiency of lithium in a star's atmosphere may be a sign of the presence of planets, astronomers reported this week. In a paper in the journal Nature, astronomers surveyed 30 Sun-like stars known to have planets and found nearly all had unusually low levels of lithium, just as the Sun does. Astronomers speculate that the presence of planets robs the stars of angular momentum, causing them to spin more slowly; this, in turn, causes the lithium in the atmospheres to fall to the surface and be destroyed.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, April 29
Firefly Scrubs Launch Attempt, SpaceX Falcon Rocket Lifts Off From VSFB
Noozhawk — 6:20 am ET (1020 GMT) The Commercial Space Revolution: Critical Lessons For The Space Force
Forbes.com — 6:19 am ET (1019 GMT) An aircraft carrier in space? US Space Force wants 'orbital carrier' to easily deploy spacecraft in Earth orbit
BBC — 6:19 am ET (1019 GMT) DOD mission set to launch from Wallops Island
ShoreDailyNews.com — 6:19 am ET (1019 GMT) Starbase could be Texas' newest official town. Here's how.
San Antonio Express-News — 6:14 am ET (1014 GMT) |
