TecMundo and #AstroMiniBR curate a weekly selection of the most relevant astronomy curiosities produced by contributors profiled on X, to share with you a little more about our unusual and awe-inspiring universe. Check it out!
To uncover the atmospheric composition of exoplanets, astronomers use sophisticated techniques. The most powerful of these is the study of a classical phenomenon: the diffraction of light..
#1: Exploring the chemical composition of other planets!
When light from a star passes through a planet’s atmosphere, some wavelengths of that light are absorbed by different molecules in the atmosphere. This light then travels to Earth, where it is collected by telescopes equipped with instruments called spectrographs.
The spectrograph disperses the light into its color components (similar to how a prism separates light into a rainbow), creating a spectrum that reveals specific absorption lines.
Each molecule absorbs unique wavelengths of light, allowing scientists to determine what gases are present in the exoplanet’s atmosphere. Features of the spectrum, such as the intensity and location of absorption lines, allow astronomers to determine the chemical composition of the atmosphere using a technique known as transmission spectroscopy.
Since then, astronomers have detected molecules ranging from the simplest, such as water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide, to the most complex, such as anthracene, in the atmospheres of other planets. This technique offers an extraordinary way to understand the diversity and physical-chemical conditions of distant worlds.
#2: Multiple star system in Cruzeiro do Sul
A The Cruzeiro do Sul constellation is one of the most recognizable in the southern hemisphereIt consists of five main stars that form a distinctive cross in the sky. Among these stars, Alpha Crucis, also known as Acrux, stands out as a fascinating multiple star system.
Acrux consists of at least three primary stars: Acrux A (Alpha 1), Acrux B (Alpha 2), and a third, more distant component (Alpha 3). Acrux A and B are blue-white stars of spectral type B located approximately 321 light-years from Earth. They rotate around a common centre of mass and complete one revolution in about 1500 years..
In addition to Alpha Crucis, other notable Southern Cross stars include Beta Crucis (Mimosa), a blue giant located about 280 light-years away, and Gamma Crucis (Gacrux), a red giant located about 88 light-years away.
The varying distances and compositions of these stars indicate different stages of stellar evolution, providing astronomers with valuable data to study star formation and evolution.
The Southern Cross constellation is not only an important cultural symbol for many societies in the southern hemisphere. It is also a fascinating natural laboratory for the stellar astrophysics of nearby systems..
#3: Beautiful AG Carinae!
The image you are looking at above is AG Carinae. One of the brightest and largest stars in the Milky WayIt belongs to the rare class of blue variable stars (LBV).
Located about 20 thousand light-years from Earth in the constellation Carina, this supergiant star shines with an intensity millions of times greater than that of our Sun. LBVs like AG Carinae are known for their striking differences in brightness and are characteristic stellar explosion events in which large amounts of matter are ejected into interstellar space.
These events create magnificent nebulas around the stara, formed by material ejected during explosions, observable in visible light and other wavelengths.
The life of AG Carinae is determined by a delicate balance between the outward pressure of radiation and the gravity that tries to collapse the star. During periods of instability, AG Carinae experiences very large explosions that can result in the loss of up to several solar masses of material.
This process not only contributes to the formation of surrounding nebulae, but also plays an important role in the evolution of the starpotentially leading it to a spectacular fate like a supernova.
Studying AG Carinae and other LBV stars is essential to better understand the extreme processes occurring in the final stages of the lives of the most massive stars in the universe.
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Source: Tec Mundo
I’m Blaine Morgan, an experienced journalist and writer with over 8 years of experience in the tech industry. My expertise lies in writing about technology news and trends, covering everything from cutting-edge gadgets to emerging software developments. I’ve written for several leading publications including Gadget Onus where I am an author.
