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Science & Tech.
Pradeep Kumar

25/05/21 12:20 PM IST

Clues to the star formation

In news

A scientist has estimated the three-dimensional distribution of molecular and atomic hydrogen in a nearby galaxy which can help lead to clues to the star formation processes and the evolution of the galaxy.

Details
  • Milky Way, consist of discs containing stars, molecular and atomic hydrogen, and helium.
  • The molecular hydrogen gas collapses on itself in distinct pockets, forming stars, its temperature was found to be low --close to 10 kelvin, or -263 ºC and thickness is about 60 to 240 light-years.
  • The atomic hydrogen extends both above and below the discs.
  • The molecular hydrogen gas converts to individual stars under the pull of gravity, thus holding clues to the star formation processes and the evolution of the galaxy.
About the study
  • Astronomers have estimated that molecular hydrogen extends farther from the disc in both directions, up to about 3000 light-years.
  • This gaseous component is warmer than the one straddling the disc and has comparatively lesser densities, thus escaping earlier observations. They called it the ‘diffuse’ component of the molecular disc.
  • The molecular hydrogen gas converts to individual stars under the pull of gravity, thus holding clues to the star formation processes and the evolution of the galaxy.
  • If a significant part of the gas extends beyond the thin disc of a few hundred light-years, it may explain why astronomers also observe stars at a few thousand light-years perpendicular to the galactic disc.
  • The galaxy’s proximity makes it easier to observe with telescopes, and spectral lines of carbon monoxide (CO) are available for public research. “The carbon monoxide molecule is known to accurately trace molecular hydrogen, whose spectral lines are more difficult to observe.
Source: PIB

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