Much of the matter in your body probably circled for millions of years before becoming part of you. Milky Way According to a new study, this occurs on a cosmic "conveyor belt" before coming back to our galaxy just before the formation of the solar system.
Most elements in the universe, except for hydrogen and helium (and a few other weird exceptions), were forged by stars, either through nuclear fusion deep inside their centers or during massive stellar eruptions called supernovas . These explosions also disperse the newly forged materials into interstellar space. The matter then forms giant clouds that eventually condense into new stars surrounded by other objects, such as planets, moons, asteroids, comets — and in Earth's case, people.
For decades, scientists assumed that matter expelled by exploding stars slowly drifted through interstellar space before reforming into new star systems. However, in 2011, scientists discovered that some atoms, including oxygen, iron and other heavier elements, can be expelled from their host galaxy by supernovae and get caught up in giant cosmic currents, known as the circumgalactic medium. These atoms eventually fall back into their original galaxy, including the Milky Way, and get turned into new stuff.
In a new study, published Dec. 27, 2024 in the journal The Astrophysical Journal Letters , researchers investigating the environment surrounding far-off galaxies have demonstrated for the first time that carbon Atoms can likewise be recirculated through these cosmic streams. Researchers had formerly thought this improbable, assuming that carbon atoms were too lightweight to escape the galaxy. The group further demonstrated that carbon is among the most plentiful elements in such extragalactic formations.
Related: What is the estimated number of atoms in the observable universe?
This indicates that "a considerable portion of the carbon within us probably existed for some time beyond the Milky Way," according to study co-author. Jessica Werk , an astrophysicist from the University of Washington, stated in a statement Given that elements like oxygen and iron, which are plentiful in human bodies, are also known to traverse intergalactic space, it is probable that many of the atoms in most individuals' bodies have resided beyond the confines of our galaxy at some point.
The researchers uncovered this information utilizing data from the Hubble Telescope’s Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, an instrument designed to measure how light from far-off quasars (dazzling entities fueled by energetic activities) travels through space. black holes As it travels through the circumstellar environments of various star-forming galaxies, this phenomenon is impacted. It was also discovered that, under certain conditions, carbon can extend up to 400,000 light-years beyond its home galaxy—this span being approximately four times larger than our own Milky Way.
Recycling star stuff
The idea of the circumstellar medium is quite recent within the field of astrophysics, and this latest research underscores its crucial function in the process through which galaxies reuse elements created by stars.
"Picturing the circumgalactic medium like a large railway hub: It continuously expels matter outward and draws it inward again," stated the study’s co-author. Samantha Garza , a PhD candidate at the University of Washington, stated in the declaration.
Grasping which components can be recycled within the circumstellar environment is crucial as it aids scientists in determining precisely how matter disperses and reforms across the cosmos. These cosmic flows probably allow galaxies to continuously create new stars, indicating their significant role in galactic development.
"By maintaining this cycle of expelling and drawing back materials, you essentially create a continuous supply of fuel for ongoing star formation," explained Garza. Consequently, comprehending what causes these flows to gradually decelerate and cease could provide crucial insights into why galaxies ultimately meet their end, she noted.
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