Astronomers make first accurate measurement of oxygen in distant galaxy

AI Thread Summary
UCLA astronomers have achieved the first precise measurement of oxygen levels in a distant galaxy, enhancing our understanding of cosmic chemistry. Oxygen, the third-most abundant element in the universe, forms within stars and is released into space upon their death. This measurement is crucial for studying the cycling of matter in galaxies. While some debate the significance of accurate measurements, they contribute to a deeper comprehension of stellar processes and galactic evolution. Understanding oxygen abundance is essential for astrophysical research and the broader implications of cosmic matter dynamics.
Ali Salamat
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
UCLA astronomers have made the first accurate measurement of the abundance of oxygen in a distant galaxy. Oxygen, the third-most abundant chemical element in the universe, is created inside stars and released into interstellar gas when stars die. Quantifying the amount of oxygen is key to understanding how matter cycles in and out of galaxies.
from - http://phys.org/news/2016-08-astronomers-accurate-oxygen-distant-galaxy.html
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Both of Carbon and Oxygen are well known to exist in galaxies as a usual product of stellar fusion in larger stars.
Accurate measurments are nice, but they don't indicate anything of importance as far as I know.
 

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Thread 'Our Beautiful Universe - Photos and Videos'

This thread is dedicated to the beauty and awesomeness of our Universe. If you feel like it, please share video clips and photos (or nice animations) of space and objects in space in this thread. Your posts, clips and photos may by all means include scientific information; that does not make it less beautiful to me (n.b. the posts must of course comply with the PF guidelines, i.e. regarding science, only mainstream science is allowed, fringe/pseudoscience is not allowed). n.b. I start this...
View full post »

Similar threads

Astronomers find galaxy cluster with bursting heart
Replies
3
Views
1K
I DDO 68: A Young Galaxy Supporting the Steady State Theory
Replies
4
Views
2K
Complex organic molecules discovered in protoplanetary disk
Replies
5
Views
3K
A Why is there no distance-measure in the standard model?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Big Bang Big Schmang, astronomical redshift is an artifact of distance
Replies
1
Views
3K
What is the ultimate fate of a massive star in space?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Is my fictional Solar System stable and realistic?
Replies
21
Views
4K
Galaxies, which are the smallest and least luminous type of galaxy?
Replies
23
Views
12K
Civilization of millions of rings.
Replies
3
Views
4K
Advice for Honours Astrophysics/Applied Mathematics
Replies
10
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top