Neptunian Ridge Discovery: Scientists Map New Planet Zone in Space
British scientists have spotted something fascinating in the depths of space – a packed ridge of planets that nobody knew existed before now. The University of Warwick team found this special area while studying planets similar to Neptune that exist beyond our solar system. They noticed an interesting pattern: a dense band of planets sitting right between what they call a “desert” (where very few planets survive) and a “savannah” (where planets thrive in greater numbers). This finding helps explain how planets end up where they do in space, much like discovering a new mountain range helps us understand Earth’s geography.
Life in the Cosmic Desert
Picture a harsh environment where stellar radiation beats down mercilessly on planets, stripping away their atmospheres until only rocky cores remain. This is the reality in what scientists now call the Neptunian Desert. Most planets simply can’t survive here – those that do are the tough exceptions to the rule. It’s like finding a few hardy creatures managing to live in Earth’s most extreme deserts.
The Safe Haven
Planets keep their atmospheres intact, protected from the worst of their star’s radiation. The newly found ridge sits right between these two zones, packed with planets that got there in different ways.
How Planets Move
David Armstrong, who works as Associate Professor of Physics at Warwick, explained that planets reach these different zones through two main paths. Some take a slow journey right after they’re born, while others follow a more dramatic route, swinging through space before settling into their final homes. “We’re mapping out the landscape of planets,” Armstrong noted. “Each discovery like this helps us piece together their stories.”
This latest finding gives scientists fresh insight into how planetary systems develop and change over time. It’s like finding missing pieces of a cosmic puzzle that keeps getting more interesting with each new discovery.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.
A significant discovery involving a supernova remnant in the Milky Way, identified as G278.94+1.35, has been made by a team of international astronomers. This structure, resulting from a massive stellar explosion, was initially thought to be approximately 8,800 light years away. New findings have revised this distance to about 3,300 light years, making it closer than previously calculated. The remnant’s estimated physical dimensions have also been adjusted to around 189 by 182 light years, contrary to earlier assessments of over 500 light years.
Insights from the Study
According to the study published December 30 on the pre-print server arXiv, highlighted the properties of this remnant. The research team, led by Miroslav D. Filipović, Professor at Western Sydney University, observations were conducted using the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) as part of the ASKAP-Evolutionary Map of the Universe project. These observations revealed the nearly circular shape and expansive nature of the remnant, now named “Diprotodon,” in homage to an extinct giant marsupial native to Australia.
The research team attributed the name to raise awareness about the prehistoric megafauna of Australia and ongoing extinction challenges. The findings, as reported by phys.org indicate that the supernova remnant is in a radiative evolutionary phase, suggesting continued expansion.
Characteristics and Significance
Diprotodon’s progenitor star is estimated to have been about 15 times the mass of the Sun. The kinetic energy released during the explosion is approximated at 500 quindecillion ergs. The spectral index of the remnant, measured at around -0.55, aligns with typical shell-type remnants observed in the galaxy. These characteristics place it among the largest supernova remnants known, providing valuable insights into the dynamics of such structures.
The study has offered critical data regarding the formation, expansion, and current state of Diprotodon, contributing to the broader understanding of supernova remnants within the Milky Way.
Catch the latest from the Consumer Electronics Show on Gadgets 360, at our CES 2025 hub.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway