Astronomers propose a new stellar theory to explain the origin of phosphorus

Astronomers have proposed a brand new concept to clarify the origin of phosphorus, one of many parts essential for all times on Earth. The idea suggests a kind of stellar explosion referred to as “ONe novae” as a significant supply of phosphorus.

After the Large Bang, nearly all the matter within the universe was comprised of hydrogen. Different parts have been shaped later, by nuclear reactions inside stars or when stars exploded in occasions referred to as novae or supernovae. However there are a number of stars and quite a lot of methods they’ll explode. Astronomers are nonetheless making an attempt to determine which processes have been essential in creating the abundances of parts we see within the universe.

On this examine, Kenji Bekki, at The College of Western Australia, and Takuji Tsujimoto, on the Nationwide Astronomical Observatory of Japan, proposed a brand new mannequin primarily based on oxygen-neon novae, denoted as “ONe novae,” to clarify the abundance of phosphorus. The examine has been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

A ONe nova happens when matter builds up on the floor of an oxygen-neon-magnesium wealthy white dwarf star and is heated to the purpose to ignite explosive run-away nuclear fusion.

The mannequin predicts that a considerable amount of phosphorus shall be launched in a ONe nova and that the variety of novae will rely upon the chemical composition, particularly the iron content, of the celebs. The researchers estimate that the speed of ONe novae peaked round 8 billion years in the past, that means that phosphorus would have been available when the solar system began to kind round 4.6 billion years in the past.

The mannequin predicts that ONe novae will produce a chlorine enhancement much like the phosphorus enhancement. There may be not but sufficient observational data for chlorine to substantiate this and it supplies a testable speculation to examine the validity of the ONe novae mannequin. Future observations of stars within the outer a part of the Milky Way galaxy will present the information wanted to see if the anticipated iron dependency and chlorine enhancement match actuality, or if a rethink is required.