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Ali Salamat
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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
The first accurate measurement of oxygen in a distant galaxy is significant because it gives us valuable information about the chemical composition and evolution of the universe. Oxygen is an essential element for life and its presence in a distant galaxy indicates the potential for habitable conditions.
Astronomers used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope in Chile to measure the faint emission of oxygen in a distant galaxy. This emission was then compared to a known standard to determine the accurate amount of oxygen present.
This measurement tells us that the distant galaxy has a significant amount of oxygen, which is an indication of its history and evolution. The presence of oxygen also suggests that this galaxy has experienced star formation and likely has planets that could potentially support life.
This discovery opens up new possibilities for future studies of distant galaxies. By accurately measuring the oxygen content in a galaxy, astronomers can gain a better understanding of its formation and evolution. It also sets a precedent for using ALMA to measure other elements in distant galaxies, providing more insight into the chemical makeup of the universe.
Accurate measurements of elements in distant galaxies help us paint a clearer picture of how the universe has evolved over time. By studying the chemical composition of galaxies, we can better understand the processes that have shaped our universe and the potential for life to exist beyond our own galaxy.