Chandra uncovers 'hypersoft X-ray sources' that may solve two astrophysical puzzles
Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, scientists have discovered a new class of objects behaving unlike any they have seen before. Astronomers suggest these newly spotted objects in other galaxies may help solve not one, but two long-standing questions in astrophysics.
In a groundbreaking discovery using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have identified a new class of cosmic objects that challenge existing understanding of astrophysics. These hypersoft X-ray sources, named for their uniquely low-energy X-rays, emit intense ultraviolet radiation, marking them as among the most energetic objects in galaxies. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, reveals that these sources could be the key to solving two longstanding puzzles in astrophysics.
Led by Mustafa Muhibullah of the University of Alabama, the research team found 84 of these hypersoft X-ray sources across six galaxies, including the Andromeda galaxy (M31) and the Pinwheel galaxy (M101). These sources were discovered by analyzing Chandra images taken at the lowest X-ray energies, which vanished in higher-energy images, indicating a significant presence of low-energy X-rays.
The researchers determined that these sources produce substantial amounts of energetic ultraviolet radiation, a phenomenon that had never been observed before.
The objects appear to be accreting compact objects—such as black holes, neutron stars, or white dwarfs—pulling material from companion stars. This process heats the material to produce X-rays, which is a process previously seen in binary systems but not with such bright ultraviolet radiation and low-energy X-rays. The discovery suggests that there may be numerous undetected binary systems with these characteristics.
One of the most intriguing aspects of these hypersoft X-ray sources is their potential role in two major cosmic mysteries. Firstly, some of these sources could be Type Ia supernova progenitors, which are crucial for measuring the expansion of the universe. Understanding how these stars evolve could help predict when they will explode, providing valuable insights into cosmic expansion rates.
Secondly, these sources might be responsible for stripping electrons from gas between stars in certain galaxies, a process known as electron stripping. This phenomenon is important for understanding star formation rates and galaxy life cycles. While hot, massive stars are believed to play a role, they do not fully explain the observed electron stripping. The ultraviolet radiation from these hypersoft X-ray sources could be a key factor in this process.
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