Herschel Observes Andromeda's Past And Future Stars
Recently, the infrared Herschel Space Observatory, has taken a series of beautiful high-resolution infrared images of Andromeda. It is the first time we can see M31, at these wavelengths, at such a high resolution. The quality and sensitivity of the Herschel data is so good scientists were able to study the properties of individual regions in Andromeda as small as about 400 light years.
The Andromeda galaxy, also known as M31, is our biggest neighbor. It is, in astronomical terms, very close to us, ‘only’ 2.2 million light years. This gives astronomers the unique opportunity to study a galaxy, which is not our Milky Way, in great detail. Recently, the infrared Herschel Space Observatory, has taken a series of beautiful high-resolution infrared images of Andromeda. “It is the first time that we can see M31, at these wavelengths, at such a high resolution”, says Dr. Jacopo Fritz, who works at the Centro de Radioastronomía y Astrofísica in Morelia, Mexico. He is the principle investigator of the HELGA (the Herschel Exploitation of the Local Galaxy Andromeda) team that observed M31.
In fact, when we observe an object, the level of detail we are able to distinguish, critically depends on the wavelength at which we are observing (infrared, in this case) and on the diameter of the telescope’s mirror. Until now, all infrared telescopes had a relatively small mirror, and this was limiting the resolution of the observations. Herschel, with its 3.5-m mirror, is the largest telescope sent into space so far. It conducted its observations at a distance of 1.5 million km from the Earth. “This”, adds Jacopo Fritz, “allows the telescope to be very cold, about -190 degrees Celsius, a requisite to operate at infrared wavelengths.”
Together with images taken at different wavelengths – ultraviolet, visible, and near infrared – these new data allowed the members of the HELGA team to build a complete picture of the components that constitute a galaxy: stars, gas, and dust. This collection of data, covering a large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, lets astronomers study where these different components are located and how they interact with each other. But now, using such detailed images, astronomers are also able to study why, in the majority of the galaxies we observe, we find very well-defined relations between their properties like the mass of their stars and the number of newly formed ones, or the content of gas and dust.
“The quality and sensitivity of the Herschel data is so good that we were able to study the properties of individual regions in Andromeda as small as about 400 light years”, says Sébastien Viaene, PhD student at Ghent University in Belgium. Together with the investigators in the HELGA collaboration, he analyzed the light coming from 10000 of such ‘small’ regions. “By studying the light emitted from these regions at many wavelengths, we found something completely counter-intuitive, which we did not expect” continues Sébastien. “Astronomers believe that the dust that permeates the space between the stars in galaxies, is predominantly heated by recently born, massive stars. These are very luminous and emit lots of ultraviolet radiation, which is very efficient in heating the dust. Hence, dust emission is very often used to calculate the amount of new stars a galaxy is producing. Instead, in the bulge of M31, where the dust temperature reaches its maximum, we see that the dust is predominantly heated by the older stars.”
This finding not only warns astronomers about the role of old stars, often neglected, in the interaction with the interstellar medium, but it also helps them to get more insights in what is going on inside a galaxy. How galaxies like Andromeda and the Milky Way are formed and evolve is one of the outstanding questions in astronomy. One way to gain insight in this matter is by studying the relation between the structural and physical properties of galaxies. For example, the rate at which new stars are formed is inversely proportional to the galaxy’s mass of stars. Similarly, the dust content is inversely proportional to the stellar mass. “These correlations” comments Prof. Maarten Baes, member of the HELGA team at Ghent University, “are what astronomers call ‘scaling relations’. Why galaxies are following these relations is an open question, but with this study we found that their origin has a local nature. That is, the individual regions of Andromeda that we have analyzed, behave, with respect to these relations, as if they were small galaxies on their own.”
These results were recently published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, and the images of the study were chosen for the cover of the journal issue.
—–
Follow redOrbit on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
redOrbit.com
offers Science, Space, Technology, Health news, videos, images and
reference information. For the latest science news, space news,
technology news, health news visit redOrbit.com frequently. Learn
something new every day.”
Source: http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113290591/herschel-observes-andromeda-past-and-future-stars-120214/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
