NASA spacecraft detects atoms of interstellar matter
Posted: Thu, Feb 2, 2012, 7:49 AM ET (1249 GMT)
A NASA spacecraft has detected atoms from the interstellar medium, finding a lower concentration of oxygen than previously expected. The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft, launched in 2008 into a highly elliptical Earth orbit, has detected neutral atoms of hydrogen, helium, oxygen, and neon from the interstellar medium that are not blocked by the Sun's magnetic field. IBEX detected 74 oxygen atoms for every 20 neon atoms, compared to 111 oxygen atoms for ever 20 neon atoms in our own solar system. Scientists said this indicates that either the solar system formed in a more oxygen-rich region of the galaxy, or that oxygen is somehow preferentially trapped in the ice and dust from which the solar system formed.
A NASA spacecraft has detected atoms from the interstellar medium, finding a lower concentration of oxygen than previously expected. The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft, launched in 2008 into a highly elliptical Earth orbit, has detected neutral atoms of hydrogen, helium, oxygen, and neon from the interstellar medium that are not blocked by the Sun's magnetic field. IBEX detected 74 oxygen atoms for every 20 neon atoms, compared to 111 oxygen atoms for ever 20 neon atoms in our own solar system. Scientists said this indicates that either the solar system formed in a more oxygen-rich region of the galaxy, or that oxygen is somehow preferentially trapped in the ice and dust from which the solar system formed.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 5
Gilat Announces $100 Million Five-Year Convertible Notes at 60% Conversion Premium
Gilat Satellite Networks — 11:15 am ET (1515 GMT) 6U-Class Earth Observation Satellite ONGLAISAT, Co-Developed by ArkEdge Space, Wins Small Satellite Mission of the Year Award –First mission involving a Japanese company and university to receive the award–
ArkEdge Space — 11:15 am ET (1515 GMT) Datacentrex Invests $30 Million in Eagle LNG Partners, a Supplier of Fuel for the U.S. Space Launch Industry
Datacentrex — 11:14 am ET (1514 GMT) HawkEye 360 Confirms Early Lock-up Release for September 2nd; Preliminary Inclusion in Russell 2000
HawkEye 360 — 11:13 am ET (1513 GMT) America’s AI Lead Won’t Win The Next Space Race
Forbes.com — 11:11 am ET (1511 GMT) |
