A superbubble is a cavity hundreds of light-years across filled with hot, low-density gas, blown into the interstellar medium by multiple supernovae and stellar winds from massive stars. Our solar system is currently traveling through one known as the Local Bubble.
The Local Bubble is a cavity in the interstellar medium roughly 300 light-years across. It contains hot, diffuse gas and is thought to have been carved out by multiple supernovae millions of years ago.
The Local Bubble is a cavity in the interstellar medium roughly 300 light-years across. It contains hot, diffuse gas and is thought to have been carved out by multiple supernovae millions of years ago.
Pulsar
A Cosmic Lighthouse
A pulsar is a highly magnetized rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation out of its magnetic poles. This radiation can be observed only when a beam of emission is pointing toward Earth, similar to the way a lighthouse can be seen only when the light is pointed in the direction of an observer.
Distance: ~424 light-years
Rot. Period: 0.808 s
Age: 166 Myr
Supernova
Explosive Death of a Star
A supernova is a powerful and luminous stellar explosion. This transient astronomical event occurs during the last evolutionary stages of a massive star or when a white dwarf is triggered into runaway nuclear fusion. The explosion expels much of the star's material.
Peak Luminosity: 10^9 Suns
Energy: 10^44 Joules
Remnant: Neutron Star / Black Hole
Superbubble
Local Bubble
A superbubble is a cavity hundreds of light-years across filled with hot, low-density gas, blown into the interstellar medium by multiple supernovae and stellar winds from massive stars. Our solar system is currently traveling through one known as the Local Bubble.