Recent studies have unveiled the origins of extremely hot gas surrounding the Milky Way, exceeding temperatures of 10 million degrees Kelvin. This gas, which forms a massive sphere extending 700,000 light-years from the galactic center, plays a crucial role as a reservoir for star formation, outperforming the quantity of stars in the galaxy. Researchers from the Raman Research Institute (RRI), along with colleagues from IIT-Palakkad and Ohio State University, propose that supernovae from massive stars are responsible for heating this gas.
The heated gas emits X-ray radiation, observed in various directions across the Milky Way, and exhibits elemental enrichment with α-elements like sulfur and magnesium—signatures of nuclear reactions from supernova explosions. Such explosions lead to the ejection of heated, enriched gas, which interacts with light from distant quasars, creating detectable absorption signals.
The research emphasizes a profound connection between galactic dynamics and element formation through supernova events, contributing to our understanding of the Milky Way’s energetic environment. Insights gained from this investigation may further elucidate the behavior of galactic gases, enhancing our comprehension of cosmic processes at play. The findings were detailed in a recent publication in the Astrophysical Journal.
