Connect with us

Published

on

High-resolution spectroscopic observations have offered a deeper understanding of HD 206893 B, a brown dwarf orbiting the star HD 206893. The Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC) was used by astronomers to examine this substellar object, revealing critical details about its atmospheric composition, mass, and formation. The findings contribute to ongoing research on brown dwarfs and their role within planetary systems. Located approximately 133 light-years away, HD 206893 B has drawn attention due to its position within a circumstellar debris disk, prompting further investigation into its origins and influence on the surrounding environment.

Observational Data and Findings

According to the study published on the arXiv pre-print server, high-resolution spectroscopy was conducted to analyse the brown dwarf’s atmospheric parameters. Led by Ben Sappey from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the research team implemented a forward-modelled Bayesian approach to interpret spectral data. The results indicated that HD 206893 B possesses a radius of roughly 1.11 times that of Jupiter and a mass of about 22.7 Jupiter masses. The brown dwarf’s effective temperature was estimated to be around 1,634 K, while its age was calculated at approximately 112 million years.

Formation and Atmospheric Composition

The collected data also provided insights into the brown dwarf’s formation scenario. The atmospheric carbon-to-oxygen (C/O) ratio was determined to be 0.57, aligning closely with the solar value. This ratio is often used to assess planetary formation mechanisms, with the findings suggesting either core accretion or disk fragmentation processes. Given its location at an approximate distance of 11.62 AU from its host star, the brown dwarf is believed to have formed through core accretion rather than disk fragmentation, which typically results in planet formation at significantly greater distances.

Future Investigations

As reported by phys.org, as per researchers, further studies are needed to refine the understanding of HD 206893 B’s formation and atmospheric properties. Observations using the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) onboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have been suggested. The advanced capabilities of JWST could provide more precise measurements of elemental ratios such as carbon-to-sulfur (C/S), which may offer a clearer picture of the brown dwarf’s formation history and its relationship to the surrounding debris disk. Continued monitoring of this system is expected to enhance knowledge of substellar objects and their complex interactions within planetary environments.

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.


Alphabet Faces Scrutiny on AI Spending as Google Cloud Growth Slows



Apple Vision Pro to Receive visionOS Update With PS VR2 Controller Support This Year: Gurman

Related Stories

Continue Reading

Science

Greek Authorities Respond to Intensifying Earthquake Swarm Near Santorini

Published

on

By

Greek Authorities Respond to Intensifying Earthquake Swarm Near Santorini

Greek authorities have responded to an intensifying earthquake swarm near Santorini by closing schools and deploying emergency teams. The tremors, which began last week, have been growing in frequency and magnitude, raising concerns over potential stronger quakes in the region. While experts have ruled out immediate volcanic activity, the situation remains unpredictable due to the swarm’s unusual characteristics. The most powerful tremor recorded so far was a magnitude 5 earthquake, striking approximately 34 kilometres northeast of Santorini. The event occurred at 2:27 p.m. local time, as per the University of Athens’ earthquake monitoring system.

Seismic Activity Driven by Faults, Not Volcanic Unrest

According to reports, the ongoing tremors are attributed to fault movement rather than volcanic activity. Santorini, positioned on the Aegean Sea’s tectonic boundary, sits on the exposed section of a submerged volcano known as the Santorini caldera. David Pyle, Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford, told Live Science that the quakes are likely caused by fault lines shifting rather than magma activity. He described the swarm as unusual, highlighting the challenge of predicting future developments due to its underwater location.

Historical Earthquake Swarms and Regional Tectonics

The Aegean region experiences significant seismic activity due to the African plate moving beneath the Eurasian plate. Similar earthquake swarms have been recorded in the past, including a 2011-2012 event linked to magma movement beneath Santorini. However, the current swarm appears more extensive and is concentrated outside the Santorini caldera. Most tremors have been recorded between the underwater Kolumbo volcano and Anydros Island.

Kolumbo, last erupting in 1650, previously triggered a tsunami that affected nearby islands. While researchers remain uncertain about a direct link between current tectonic activity and potential volcanic unrest, ongoing monitoring continues to assess the evolving situation.

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.


NASA’s Juno Detects Io’s Most Powerful Volcanic Eruption Yet



Dark OTT Release: Telugu Mystery Thriller Starring Jiiva and Priya Bhavani Shankar Now Streaming Online

Related Stories

Continue Reading

Science

Moon’s Deepest Canyons Formed in Minutes by High-Speed Impact Debris

Published

on

By

Moon’s Deepest Canyons Formed in Minutes by High-Speed Impact Debris

Two colossal canyons on the moon, both deeper than the Grand Canyon, were formed in under ten minutes by surges of high-speed rock debris, as per reports. These valleys, named Vallis Schrödinger and Vallis Planck, extend for 270 kilometres and 280 kilometres, respectively, with depths of up to 3.5 kilometres. Comparatively, the Grand Canyon reaches a maximum depth of approximately 1.9 kilometres. The canyons are located near the Schrödinger impact basin in the lunar south polar region, an area marked by towering mountains and deep craters.

Impact that shaped the lunar landscape

According to the study published in Nature Communications, these canyons are part of several valleys that formed from the debris ejected during the impact that created Schrödinger basin, a 320-kilometre-wide crater formed around 3.81 billion years ago. The basin is positioned on the outer edge of the South Pole–Aitken basin, the moon’s largest and oldest remaining impact structure, which dates back more than 4.2 billion years.

Unprecedented energy levels behind the canyons

As per findings, rocky debris from the impact travelled at speeds ranging between 3,420 and 4,600 kilometres per hour. In comparison, a bullet from a 9mm handgun reaches speeds of about 2,200 kilometres per hour. The force required to carve these canyons is estimated to have been over 130 times greater than the total energy stored in the current global nuclear arsenal.

Key insights for future lunar exploration

Speaking to Space.com, David Kring, a geologist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, highlighted that unlike the Grand Canyon, which was shaped by water over millions of years, these lunar canyons were formed in a matter of minutes by rock flows. The distribution of impact debris also suggests that astronauts landing near the South Pole–Aitken basin may find better access to some of the moon’s oldest geological samples. These insights contribute to ongoing research on potential landing sites for future lunar missions.

Continue Reading

Science

NASA Looks for Private Partners To Revive VIPER Moon Rover Mission

Published

on

By

NASA Looks for Private Partners To Revive VIPER Moon Rover Mission

NASA is inviting U.S. companies to collaborate on the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), a mission initially halted due to budget constraints. Designed to search for water ice near the lunar south pole, VIPER was originally planned as a $450 million project. The agency had cancelled the mission in July 2024, citing cost-saving measures. Now, a fresh call has been made to private firms willing to take on the challenge of delivering the rover to the Moon, conducting exploration, and sharing scientific data. A final decision is expected in the coming months.

VIPER’s Role in Lunar Exploration

According to NASA’s announcement, VIPER was designed to support Artemis program objectives by locating potential water ice deposits. These resources are crucial for future human missions and lunar surface operations. Initially set to launch aboard the Griffin lander by Astrobotic Technology, the mission was shelved before its deployment. Following interest from private firms, NASA has decided to explore new avenues for its deployment while ensuring that the scientific goals remain intact.

Proposals and Selection Process

NASA officials have confirmed that responses from interested companies must be submitted by February 20, 2025. Selected candidates will be invited to provide more detailed proposals, with final selections anticipated by mid-year. The agency has clarified that while VIPER will be handed over in its current state, modifications involving dismantling its instruments for use on other spacecraft will not be permitted. Companies will be required to manage landing operations, conduct scientific research, and ensure data dissemination as part of the agreement.

Potential Benefits for Private Firms

In a statement in an official press release by NASA, Joel Kearns, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, stated that the partnership would provide significant opportunities for private firms looking to advance their lunar surface capabilities. He emphasised that VIPER’s deployment could mark a critical step toward commercial involvement in lunar exploration, reinforcing NASA’s commitment to fostering public-private collaborations.

Future of Lunar Resource Exploration

As NASA continues to push for sustainable lunar exploration, the integration of private-sector capabilities is seen as a key element in reducing costs and expanding mission possibilities. With lunar resource utilisation playing a major role in future space endeavours, the agency remains focused on ensuring that scientific objectives are met while advancing commercial lunar operations. The final selection of partners for VIPER is expected to set the stage for upcoming exploration missions and resource prospecting efforts on the Moon.

Continue Reading

Trending