Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

For all you heliophiles out there in Freeperland!
You might remember this animated image from the February 23, 2003 APOD:




Supernova remnant reveals magnesium in abundance
CHANDRA X-RAY CENTER NEWS RELEASE
Posted: March 28, 2004


Credit: NASA/CXC/PSU/S.Park et al.
 
The Chandra image of N49B (left), the remains of an exploded star, shows a cloud of multimillion degree gas that has been expanding for about 10,000 years. A specially processed version of this image (right) reveals unexpectedly large concentrations of the element magnesium (blue-green).

Magnesium, created deep inside the star and ejected in the supernova explosion, is usually associated with correspondingly high concentrations of oxygen. However, the Chandra data indicate that the amount of oxygen in N49B is not exceptional. This poses a puzzle as to how the excess magnesium was created, or, alternatively, how the excess oxygen has escaped detection.

The amount of magnesium in N49B is estimated to be about equal to the total mass of the Sun. Since the Sun contains only about 0.1% of magnesium by mass, the total mass of magnesium N49B is about a thousand times that in the Sun and its planets.

Magnesium, the eighth most abundant material in the Earth's crust, is a mineral needed by every cell of our bodies. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, and bones strong. It is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Fortunately for us, and thanks to stars such as the one that produced N49B, there is an abundant supply of magnesium in the Universe.

1 posted on 03/30/2004 5:13:38 AM PST by petuniasevan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies ]


To: MozartLover; Joan912; NovemberCharlie; snowfox; Dawgsquat; Vigilantcitizen; theDentist; ...

YES! You too can be added to the APOD PING list! Just ask!

2 posted on 03/30/2004 5:16:36 AM PST by petuniasevan (News bulletin: Teenager declared insane after voluntarily cleaning room.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: petuniasevan
BTTT
3 posted on 03/30/2004 5:35:33 AM PST by GodBlessRonaldReagan (Count Petofi will not be denied!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: petuniasevan
Cool (or hot!). Thanks.
4 posted on 03/30/2004 5:37:02 AM PST by foolish-one
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: petuniasevan
Thanking you (and bumping, too!)
6 posted on 03/30/2004 7:48:56 AM PST by redhead (Mother Angelica says, "This Lent, don't be good for nothing.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson