An Interstellar Tunnel Has Been Discovered Close to Our Solar System

Astronomers announced that they discovered an “interstellar tunnel” near the region where our solar system is located, which can open to other star systems.

According to the discovery, this tunnel is part of a huge hot gas structure called Local Hot Bubble (LHB), which surrounds our Solar system and is hundreds of light years wide. Even more interesting, There are hints that this tunnel may connect to a neighboring area.

Interstellar tunnel discovered from telescope data

The research team used the first x-ray observatory outside the Earth’s atmosphere to explore this tunnel. From the extensive data collected by the eROSITA telescope benefited. Creating a three-dimensional model of the entire Local Hot Bubble in the light of this data, the researchers not only confirmed some features that astronomers had hypothesized for years, but also revealed completely new structures.

Michael Freyberg, one of the authors of the study from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, said: “We discovered a new interstellar tunnel in the direction of Centaurus that creates a gap in the cooler interstellar medium.” He made a statement. He added that they achieved this discovery thanks to eROSITA’s improved sensitivity and a different research strategy compared to the previous space telescope ROSAT.

Can it be used for travel in the future?

Scientists first proposed the existence of the Local Hot Bubble 50 years ago to explain the prevalence of background x-ray radiation. Because interstellar space is filled with clouds of gas and dustThese x-ray emissions should have been absorbed long ago, but the detection of lower energy x-rays in the region of the interstellar medium pointed to the existence of space around our solar system.

According to astronomers, this bubble may have formed some 14 million years ago when a chain of supernovae dispersed surrounding interstellar material, creating a gap about 1,000 light-years wide. It is still possible to find remnants of these supernovae today.

Detailed modeling of the Local Hot Bubble also reveals temperature differences across its region. The fact that the northern part of the structure is hotter than the south suggests that new supernova explosions that have occurred in the last few million years have warmed the region.

So, do you think interstellar travel will be possible in the future? You can share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.