Enormous Cosmic Burst Generates Uncommon Elements Throughout the Universe

Join CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter and delve into the wonders of the universe. Stay updated on captivating revelations, groundbreaking scientific progress, and much more. Recently, the James Webb Space Telescope and various other observatories observed an extraordinary celestial phenomenon - a colossal space eruption. This extraordinary event generated unique chemical elements, several of which are crucial for sustaining life.

On March 7, an explosion took place, marking it as the second most luminous gamma-ray burst ever observed by telescopes in over 50 years. It was over a million times brighter than the entire Milky Way Galaxy combined. Gamma-ray bursts are brief emissions of the most powerful form of light.

This specific burst, referred to as GRB 230307A, was likely formed when two neutron stars, the extraordinarily dense remnants of stars following a supernova, collided in a galaxy located approximately one billion light-years away. As stated in a study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature, this merger not only resulted in the gamma-ray burst but also produced a kilonova - a rare explosion that occurs when a neutron star combines with another neutron star or a black hole.

This captivating image, taken by NASAs James Webb Space Telescope's NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera), provides a mesmerizing view of Jupiter in infrared light. The image highlights the planet's remarkable features, with brightness denoting high altitude. The multitude of bright white spots and streaks are believed to be condensed convective storms' cloud tops located at extremely high altitudes. Furthermore, the image showcases the presence of beautiful auroras in red hues, emanating from both the northern and southern poles of Jupiter, reaching impressive altitudes. In contrast, the equatorial region is adorned with dark ribbons, indicating scant cloud cover. Notably, during the analysis of Webb's Jupiter imagery from July 2022, researchers made a significant discovery. They unearthed a slender jet stream, racing across the planet's equator at a phenomenal speed of 320 miles per hour (515 kilometers per hour), positioned above the primary cloud decks.

NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI

Webb telescope spots never-before-seen feature in Jupiters atmosphere

Lead study author Andrew Levan, an astrophysics professor at Radboud University in the Netherlands, expressed that there are just a few known kilonovas, making it significant that this is the first instance in which the aftermath of a kilonova has been observed using the James Webb Space Telescope. Levan was also a member of the team responsible for the initial detection of a kilonova in 2013.

In addition to Webb, other instruments such as NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite were utilized to observe the burst and track its origin back to the merging of neutron stars. Webb was also employed to identify the chemical signature of tellurium within the aftermath of the explosion.

Tellurium, a rare metalloid, is utilized in the tinting of glass and ceramics, as well as playing a part in the manufacturing process of rewritable CDs and DVDs, as stated by the Royal Society of Chemistry. It is anticipated by astronomers that other elements in proximity to tellurium on the periodic table, such as iodine, which is essential for life on Earth, are likely to be found in the material released by the kilonova.

"After over 150 years since Dmitri Mendeleev documented the periodic table of elements, we are now able to finally begin filling in those remaining gaps in our understanding of where everything was created, thanks to Webb," Levan expressed.

Tracking stellar explosions

For quite some time, astronomers have held the belief that celestial factories, neutron star mergers precisely, play a crucial role in the formation of uncommon elements that are heavier than iron. However, the challenge has remained in locating substantial evidence to support this claim.

Kilonovae are uncommon occurrences, posing a challenge for astronomers to study. However, they search for brief gamma-ray bursts, lasting a maximum of two seconds, as indicators of these infrequent events.

What stood out about this burst was its duration of 200 seconds, classifying it as a prolonged gamma-ray burst. Typically, such extended bursts are linked to supernovas resulting from the explosive demise of massive stars.

"This burst falls into the extended duration range and is located far from the border. However, an intriguing prospect emerges as evidence suggests its origin lies in the convergence of neutron stars," stated Eric Burns, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Louisiana State University, who coauthored the study.

This artist's concept illustrates the appearance of the exoplanet WASP-17 b.

WASP-17 b, known as Ditsö, is a hot gas giant that orbits its star only 0.051 AU away (equivalent to approximately 4.75 million miles or one-eighth the distance between Mercury and the Sun). It completes one full revolution in approximately 3.7 Earth-days. Located in the constellation Scorpius, the system can be found within the Milky Way, approximately 1,300 light-years away from Earth.

WASP-17 b, a planet with a volume over seven times larger than Jupiter but less than half its mass, is remarkably inflated. Its favorable characteristics, including a short orbital period, substantial size, and thick, expansive atmosphere, make it an excellent candidate for transmission spectroscopy. This method involves studying the impact of the planet's atmosphere on the starlight that passes through it.

The atmosphere of WASP-17 b is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, with traces of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other molecules. Observations using Webb's MIRI instrument, which detects 5- to 12-micron infrared light, reveal the existence of quartz nanocrystal clouds within WASP-17 b's atmosphere.

WASP-17 b exhibits tidal locking and a retrograde orbit. Its temperature spans from approximately 1,000 kelvins (1,350 degrees F or 725 degrees C) on the colder nightside to nearly 2,000 kelvins (3,150 degrees F or 1,725 degrees C) on its perpetually sunlit side.

The primary star, known as WASP-17 (or Diwö), is classified as an F-type star - slightly bigger, more massive, hotter, and whiter compared to the Sun.

This artist's concept is derived from recent data collected by MIRI, along with prior observations by various ground- and space-based telescopes, such as NASA's Hubble and retired Spitzer space telescopes. Webb has not yet recorded any images of the planet.

Contents in an exoplanet's atmosphere detect swirling of quartz crystals.

Gamma-ray burst initially detected by Fermi, and astronomers employed both ground- and space-based observatories to monitor variations in brightness following the gamma-ray explosion across different wavelengths of light including gamma-ray, X-ray, visible, infrared, and radio waves. The rapid fluctuations in visible and infrared light indicated the occurrence of a kilonova.

"This particular explosion occurs at an incredibly fast pace, with the substances involved expanding rapidly," stated Om Sharan Salafia, a researcher at Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics Brera Astronomical Observatory and coauthor of the study. "As the entire cloud expands, the substances cool down swiftly, resulting in the peak of its light being observable in the infrared spectrum, gradually turning redder over a period of days to weeks."

The team also employed Webb in order to track the path taken by the neutron stars leading up to their detonation.

Once, two colossal stars resided within a binary system nestled in a spiral galaxy. Following a supernova, one of the stars transformed into a neutron star, and the same occurrence transpired with its companion. These cataclysmic episodes propelled the stars away from their galaxy, and as a united duo, they traversed a staggering distance of 120,000 light-years before ultimately merging several hundred million years subsequent to their expulsion from their celestial abode.

Unveiling celestial constituents

Astronomers have spent decades attempting to unravel the mysteries of chemical element formation in the cosmos. By employing advanced telescopes such as Webb and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, slated for launch in 2027, the identification of additional kilonovas in the coming years might offer valuable insights into the production and dissemination of heavy elements during these extraordinary celestial events.

The scientists also aim to discover additional mergers which generate prolonged gamma-ray bursts in order to investigate their underlying causes and potential correlation with the resultant elements.

Mysterious planet-like objects can be seen for the first time in this image of the inner Orion Nebula and Trapezium Cluster.

NASA/ESA/CSA

The defiance of fundamental astronomical theories appears to be witnessed in an extraordinary revelation.

Throughout the universe, the elements present on the periodic table, including those essential for the origin of life on Earth, have been dispersed by the turbulent life cycle of stars. Over the past few years, the study of powerful stellar detonations, such as kilonovas, has provided scientists with the means to unravel the mysteries surrounding the creation of chemical elements. Consequently, this deeper comprehension contributes to a better understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of the universe.

Study coauthor Ben Gompertz, an assistant professor at the Institute for Gravitational Wave Astronomy and the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, stated that Webb offers a remarkable boost and has the potential to discover even heavier elements. Gompertz added that with increased observations, the models will enhance and the spectrum may change over time. He further emphasized that Webb has opened up numerous possibilities and will truly revolutionize our comprehension of the universe.