(Press-News.org) A decades old space mystery has been solved by an international team of astronomers led by Professor Martin Barstow of the University of Leicester and President-elect of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Scientists from the University of Leicester and University of Arizona investigated hot, young, white dwarfs — the super-dense remains of Sun-like stars that ran out of fuel and collapsed to about the size of the Earth. Their research is featured in MNRAS- the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, published by Oxford University Press.
It has been known that many hot white dwarfs atmospheres, essentially of pure hydrogen or pure helium, are contaminated by other elements – like carbon, silicon and iron. What was not known, however, was the origins of these elements, known in astronomical terms as metals.
"The precise origin of the metals has remained a mystery and extreme differences in their abundance between stars could not be explained," said Professor Barstow, a Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Leicester whose research was assisted by his daughter Jo, a co-author of the paper, during a summer work placement in Leicester. She has now gone on to be an astronomer working in Oxford - on extra-solar planets.
"It was believed that this material was "levitated" by the intense radiation from deeper layers in the star," said Professor Barstow.
Now the researchers have discovered that many of the stars show signs of contamination by rocky material, the left overs from a planetary system.
The researchers surveyed 89 white dwarfs, using the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer to obtain their spectra (dispersing the light by colour) in which the "fingerprints" of carbon, silicon, phosphorous and sulphur can be seen, when these elements are present in the atmosphere.
"We found that in stars with polluted atmospheres the ratio of silicon to carbon matched that seen in rocky material, much higher than found in stars or interstellar gas.
"The new work indicates that at around a one-third of all hot white dwarfs are contaminated in this way, with the debris most likely in the form of rocky minor planet analogues. This implies that a similar proportion of stars like our Sun, as well as stars that are a little more massive like Vega and Fomalhaut, build systems containing terrestrial planets. This work is a form of celestial archaeology where we are studying the 'ruins' of rocky planets and/or their building blocks, following the demise of the main star.
"The mystery of the composition of these stars is a problem we have been trying to solve for more than 20 years. It is exciting to realise that they are swallowing up the left overs from planetary systems, perhaps like our own, with the prospect that more detailed follow-up work will be able to tell us about the composition of rocky planets orbiting other stars", said Professor Barstow.
The study also points to the ultimate fate of the Earth billions of years from now- ending up as a contamination within the white dwarf Sun.
INFORMATION: END
Scientists solve riddle of celestial archaeology
New theory advanced for how collapsed stars become polluted -- pointing to ominous fate that awaits planet Earth
2014-03-26
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
From Executive Producers Deborah Von Brod & Maria Bukhonina - Travel Channel Green Lights Production For Three New Original Pilots
2014-03-26
(http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com/newsroom/company-news/Travel-Channel-greenlights-production-for-three-new-original-pilots/)
Travel Channel has green lit production for three new original pilots. They include "Booze Traveler" (wt), where entrepreneur Jack Maxwell explores different countries and their cultural cocktails; "Great Escapes" (wt), which features extreme escape artist Steve Santini as he examines iconic landmarks and destinations that held controversial pasts; and "Street Cred" (wt) hosted by comedian and magician Penn Jillette, who secretly finds ...
Blinds.Guru LLC, North Atlanta Window Covering Dealer Launches New .guru Website
2014-03-26
Blinds.guru llc is pleased to announce the launch of our brand new website: http://www.blinds.guru
Join our "Virtual Grand Opening" and take advantage of Promotional Prices available through May 2014!
Introducing blinds.guru, headquartered in Cumming, GA and serving all of Forsyth County Ga, North Fulton, Ga and Gwinnett County, Ga. Our business is devoted to customers looking for new and replacement window treatments; wood and faux wood blinds, plantation shutters, Roman and roller shades for home and office.
Blinds.guru is now offering a faux wood blind for ...
Love Our Children USA Observes the 31st Anniversary of National Child Abuse Prevention Month This April
2014-03-26
This April marks the 31st anniversary of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a time dedicated to child abuse education, awareness and prevention.
With the month of observance around the corner, these stories must serve as a wake-up call to raise awareness for child abuse prevention.
In the month of March alone:
• Man charged with child abuse, drug trafficking, Albuquerque, NM
• Two women have been arrested after police in Salinas said they found three malnourished and abused children. According to authorities, one of the children was found chained to ...
Leading Online Luggage Provider Launches a New Affiliate Program
2014-03-26
The premiere online source for all luggage and traveling accessories, LuggageOnline.com provides a vast inventory that carries everything from backpacks and briefcases to multi-piece luggage sets, fit for a business trip or a family vacation. With a wide selection with top-quality luggage brands, like Travelpro, Samsonite, Kenneth Cole, and more, at bargain prices, Luggage Online ensures that its customers will always spend less on traveling accessories, to have more to spend on their travels.
Whether across town or across the globe, Luggage Online understands the importance ...
Download and Play SHOUT to Win a $10,000 Ducati Monster 696 During the World Series of Fighting
2014-03-26
The nationally-televised WSOF 9 title fight between Steve Carl and Rousimar Palhares live on NBC Sports Network will answer the question, "Who is the better fighter?" For the first time ever on March 29, 2014, at 6:00pm PST, the WSOF event will also reveal, "Who is the smarter MMA fan?" During the fight, the fan that plays and racks up the most points will win a new Ducati Monster 696 valued at nearly $10,000.
While stars such as Marlon Moraes, Rousimar Palhares and Iraqi war veterans, Shane Kruchten and Mike Corey compete in the cage, fans watching ...
Black Hawk Pilot Receives Top Collaborators Award at the Public Speakers Association Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas
2014-03-26
Tonya Hofmann, CEO and founder of The Public Speakers Association, awarded Elizabeth McCormick, Dallas, Texas, as the top collaborator for her area, at the annual conference in San Antonio, TX. McCormick is an internationally recognized motivational speaker and former Black Hawk pilot. McCormick is a best-selling author of The P.I.L.O.T. method and a John Maxwell Team certified speaker and leadership trainer. Other nominees for the Collaborator awards on a local level include Meg Henderson Wade from Virginia Beach, VA, Melody Firmani from Pittsburgh, PA and Sandy Lawrence ...
Metaswitch Certifies Grandstream IP Phones, Gateways and ATAs for Hosted UC Solutions
2014-03-26
Grandstream Networks, the leading manufacturer of IP telephony and video surveillance solutions, today announced that Metaswitch has Partner Certified a number of Grandstream's SIP products for the Enterprise, SMB and residential markets. Service providers using the Metaswitch hosted IP telephony platform can now automatically and securely provision Grandstream's broad array of award-winning products for mass deployment. The Grandstream products certified by Metaswitch include the GXP11xx series, GXP14xx series and GXP21xx series IP Phones, GXW400x & GXW42xx Analog ...
World of Beer Partners with CBA for Epic Craft Beer Adventure
2014-03-26
Craft beer lovers, prepare for takeoff. World of Beer (WOB), a rapidly-expanding network of beer-centric taverns known for over 500 craft brews from around the world, craft spirits and Tavern Fare, is giving customers the opportunity to win the ultimate beer lover's getaway. World of Beer is partnering with Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) for a new program through which loyalty members enter for the chance to win a trip to the Oregon Brewers Festival. The program will run March 24 - April 20, 2014. Winners will be announced on April 29, 2014.
"We are excited to be partnering ...
Paradigm Imaging Group Announces Colortrac Demo Pak
2014-03-26
Colortrac, Inc. continues to keep its commitment of support and has created a 'Demo Pak'. These demo paks help resellers when demonstrating Colortrac large format scanners and software to prospective customers. They are shipped in a document tube with originals, standard demo scripts for all products and applications, and a memory stick with a menu based video library showing how the demos should be made and featuring the originals supplied with the kit. The videos featured in the demo paks can be used to inform about Colortrac scanners and software solutions before prospective ...
Doug Norwood Joins Buckhead Business RadioX Show as Expert Guest to Discuss Swarm's Latest News
2014-03-26
Agency veteran, Doug Norwood of SWARM Agency, will join Rich Casanova of Buckhead Business RadioX to share the SWARM story and the impactful work the agency is doing for its clients.
Norwood commented, "I am honored that Rich Casanova reached out to me to participate on his show. Business RadioX serves as a huge asset to our community by allowing business leaders of all kinds an opportunity to share the great work they're doing. I'm excited to represent SWARM and share how we're working to redefine the way brands and corporations look at data, SEO, Content Development ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Scientists develop an efficient method of producing proteins from E. coli
AAAS announces addition of Cancer Communications to Science Partner Journal Program
Systematic review reveals psilocybin reduces obsessive-compulsive behaviors across clinical and preclinical evidence
Emerging roles of neuromodulation in the management of treatment-resistant OCD
All prey are not the same: marine predators face uneven nutritional payoffs
What drives sleep problems in long-term care facilities?
New antibiotic for drug-resistant bacteria found hiding in plain sight
New mapping identifies urgent opportunities to strengthen Singapore’s children’s mental health ecosystem
New research reveals significant prevalence of valvular heart disease among older Americans
Outdoor air pollution linked to higher incidence of breast cancer
Thiophene-doped fully conjugated covalent organic frameworks for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide production
Earth’s ‘boring billion years’ created the conditions for complex life
Health data for 57 million people in England show changing patterns of heart diseases before, during and after the pandemic
Cycling ‘near misses’ in London worst at rush hour and on roads without dedicated infrastructure
Roots in the dark: Russian scientists uncover hidden carbon dioxide uptake in plant roots
Biochar and hydrochar show contrasting climate effects in boreal grasslands
Turning trash into treasure: Scientists transform waste plastics into high-value carbon materials
Boys don’t cry? How picture books can teach gendered ideas about pain
In global collaboration, IU scientists unlock secrets to the building blocks of the universe
Young adults fear mass shootings but don’t necessarily support gun control
How unlocking ‘sticky’ chemistry may lead to better, cleaner fuels
Cutting balloon treatment prior to stent placement comparable to intravascular lithotripsy for patients with calcified coronary artery disease
Novel sirolimus-eluting balloon appears noninferior to conventional therapies for treatment of in-stent restenosis
Nearly half of US workers don’t know work experience could count toward a degree, according to University of Phoenix survey
Super-high-pressure non-compliant balloons for treatment of calcified coronary lesions noninferior to intravascular lithotripsy
Saudi Native Dr. Hani K. Najm named next vice president of the American College of Cardiology
Getting steps in one long walk a day cuts risk of death and CVD better than multiple short walks
The way you walk: 10–15 minute bouts of walking better for your cardiovascular health than shorter strolls
Beyond electronics: harnessing light for faster computing
Researchers find possible cause for increasing polarization
[Press-News.org] Scientists solve riddle of celestial archaeologyNew theory advanced for how collapsed stars become polluted -- pointing to ominous fate that awaits planet Earth

