The solar system is in a big bubble. Scientists suspect why this is so

The solar system is in a big bubble. Scientists suspect why this is so

The solar system is quite an interesting place in the Milky Way. It is in a huge bubble that spans a thousand light years. Scientists decided to map this area of ​​our galaxy with the greatest precision so far. This made it possible to discover the origin of the emptiness that surrounds us.

The solar system is a specific place in our galaxy. It floats in an area that is extremely empty. There is a high-temperature, low-density plasma. The place is over a thousand light years across . Scientists set out to find answers to questions related to this area of ​​the Milky Way.

A team of astronomers led by the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) has undertaken the most precise attempt to map a Local Bubble. Thanks to this, it was possible to obtain answers related to its origin. All indications are that it was “cut” from the interstellar medium . What was the cause of this?

Artistic vision presenting Bąbel Lokalny – Leah Hustak / STScI
Astronomers point to numerous supernova explosions . This seems to be confirmed also by previous research results, which say that the Local Bubble continues to expand . However, regions around its circumference show increased star formation.

The Local Bubble was discovered several decades ago. This happened in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of a combination of optical, radio and X-ray astronomy. Scientists have calculated that it is expanding at a speed of about 6.7 km per s.