Work

Old supernova dust factory revealed at the Galactic center

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Dust formation in supernova ejecta is currently the leading candidate to explain the large quantities of dust observed in the distant, early universe. However, it is unclear whether the ejecta-formed dust can survive the hot interior of the supernova remnant (SNR). We present infrared observations of ~0.02 solar masses of warm (~100 kelvin) dust seen near the center of the ~10,000-year-old Sagittarius A East SNR at the Galactic center. Our findings indicate the detection of dust within an older SNR that is expanding into a relatively dense surrounding medium (electron density ~10(3) centimeters(-3)) and has survived the passage of the reverse shock. The results suggest that supernovae may be the dominant dust-production mechanism in the dense environment of galaxies of the early universe.

Source: Science

DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa2208

Authors: R. M. Lau, T. L. Herter, M. R. Morris, Z. Li, J. D. Adams

Institutions: Cornell University, University of California, Los Angeles, Nanjing University, Ames Research Center, Universities Space Research Association

Language: English

Topic: Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Universities Space Research Association

Awards: G7500225213, G7742126542