Eternal Flame
The heart of the Milky Way is a cosmic enigma. Home to a supermassive black hole that devours interstellar matter and supernovae that eject stars to the galaxy's fringes, it is a place of intense activity.
Adding to the mystery, new research suggests that certain stars in this galactic core remain young indefinitely, powered by dark matter particles. This process is akin to perpetually fueling a flaming BBQ grill.
Scientists from Stanford and Stockholm University propose this intriguing scenario based on computer simulations. They studied why stars near the Milky Way's black hole appear young despite residing in an area hostile to the formation of new stars. These stars exhibit characteristics of more evolved stars, according to their yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper spotted by Live Science.
The researchers concluded that an unknown force is keeping these stars "immortal."
Forever Young
Different theories exist to explain the abundance of young stars at the Milky Way's center. One suggests that stars were pushed into the nucleus, sparking the formation of new stars.
However, Isabelle John, a doctoral student in astroparticle physics at Stockholm University and the study's lead author, investigated whether dark matter plays a role. Her team's simulations indicate that these stars might be older than they appear, maintaining their youthful glow by consuming surrounding dark matter.
The theory posits that stars capture dark matter particles with their gravitational pull. These particles collide and release energy within the stars, acting like interstellar botox, keeping the stars "immortal" even after exhausting their nuclear fuel.
"Stars burn hydrogen in nuclear fusion," John explained to Live Science. "This process balances the gravitational forces, keeping the stars stable."
Advanced telescopes may soon confirm these simulations, potentially unveiling one of the many secrets of our galaxy's heart.
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