Scientists find mysterious cosmic tunnel linking our solar system to distant parts of the galaxy
Researchers mapping a bubble of superheated gas that surrounds our solar system found a surprise, there is a tunnel that may link ours with another.
New out of this world discoveries about the wonders of space never cease amaze and excite one’s imagination. As we attempt to become a multi-planet species recent research has mapped a “interstellar tunnel” from our solar system pointing toward the constellation Centaurus.
That is direction in which our nearest neighboring star, Proxima Centauri, is located as well as another superbubble. In fact, the scientists believe that there may be an entire network of tunnels connecting to other bubbles throughout the galaxy.
Earth’s solar system in the center of a space bubble
The Earth and our solar system with it are currently at the center of a bubble in space known as a Local Hot Bubble (LHB). This is an area of hot, low-density gas which has been theorized to exist since 1974.
Using data from the eROSITA All-Sky Survey, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) were able to map in detail our LHB and create a 3D model of it. At the same time, they discovered a large-scale temperature gradient in the bubble indicating how it was formed.
A 3D map of the Milky Way’s Local Hot Bubble (LHB) created from eROSITA data reveals a low-density region around the solar system, heated by ancient supernovas. The bubble shows temperature gradients and an interstellar “tunnel” toward Centaurus, likely formed by young stars’… pic.twitter.com/edxRs1vayh
— Erika (@ExploreCosmos_) November 8, 2024
Space tunnel to distant parts of the Milky Way Galaxy
The scientists also spotted something of great interest, which is featured in their study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, an interstellar tunnel that they didn’t know existed. “The highlight of this work features the discovery of a new interstellar tunnel towards the constellation Centaurus,” states the team of MPE researchers in a press release.
The tunnel “carves a gap in the cooler interstellar medium,” says astrophysicist Michael Freyberg, one of the authors of the research paper. “This region stands out in stark relief thanks to the much-improved sensitivity of eROSITA,” he added.
The Milky Way may have an network of interstellar tunnels connecting multiple bubbles
The new tunnel they found could potentially connect the LHB we find ourselves in with a neighboring superbubble which is also located in the constellation Centaurus. The authors of the study believe that this tunnel could be just a local example of a wider network of tunnels throughout the galaxy connecting hot bubbles. Research has previously shown that there is a similar tunnel potentially linking the LHB to the Gum Nebula.
Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our Solar System, is located approximately 4.37 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. It comprises three stars: Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B, and Proxima Centauri. This stellar system is of immense interest to… pic.twitter.com/lUZ7OYL2fj
— Erika (@ExploreCosmos_) July 22, 2024
The bubbles themselves are believed to have been the creation of past supernova explosions. Some of these have been in just the past few million years which have expanded and reheated our LHB.
Our own bubble in space is 1,000 light-years across, at least, and the “tenuous” hot gas that fills it tips the thermometer at over 1 million degrees. The hot plasma emits soft X-rays, readings of which were used to create the researchers’ map of our LHB.
The Sun’s position at the center of the bubble “is purely coincidental”
“Another interesting fact,” remarked Gabriele Ponti, a co-author, that came out of the research is that our Sun appears to occupy a relatively central position in the LHB in the team’s model. But the scientist says that this “is purely coincidental” because the solar system is constantly on the move through the Milky Way and “the Sun must have entered the LHB a few million years ago.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.