Iron Ions In The Sun: A Greenhouse Gas For X-Ray Radiation
Friday, September 6, 2013 - 15:50
in Physics & Chemistry
Scientists at the synchrotron PETRA III have investigated X-ray absorption of highly charged iron ions. Highly charged ions - that is, atoms which have been stripped of most of their electrons - play an important role in astrophysics. Within the large accumulations of visible (luminous) matter in the universe, the highly charged state is the natural one. This is the case in stellar atmospheres as well as in the interior of stars, where temperatures of several million degrees Celsius rule. Highly charged ions also abound around exotic objects such as neutron stars or black holes. Before matter plunges into their cores, it delivers gravitational energy, heating up and emitting extremely intense X-rays, which can be observed. read more