Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Astronomers unveiled a network of interstellar tunnels connecting our solar system to distant stars, reshaping our view of the universe’s dynamic architecture.
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The Local Hot Bubble, a 300-light-year-wide cavity formed by ancient supernovae, shows temperature gradients revealing cosmic pathways.
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Using the eRosita telescope, researchers mapped the bubble’s structure and discovered plasma-filled channels linking star systems.
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These “cosmic highways” connect regions of star formation, with tunnels shaped by young stars’ winds and supernova remnants.
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The findings challenge the notion of space as a vacuum, revealing a complex environment influenced by plasma, magnetic fields, and radiation.
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Lower-than-expected thermal pressure in certain areas hints at openings in the bubble, connecting to other superbubbles in the Milky Way.
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Magnetic fields help shape and maintain these tunnels, showing how they’ve persisted over millions of years since their formation.
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Future X-ray observatories aim to explore these pathways further, offering clues about the flow of cosmic rays and interstellar material.
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Positioned at the center of the bubble, our solar system offers a unique vantage point to study these remnants of ancient stellar explosions.
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