Unexpected Gaseous Nickel Spewing From Second Known Interstellar Object (space.com) 28
New submitter StellarThoughts writes: Scientists analyzed the second ever known interstellar object, a comet known as 2I/Borisov, and found some very unlikely results. Molecules of nickel and iron were being vaporized and drifting from the surface. Typically, nickel and iron vaporize when comets streak near the sun or aim directly for it, reaching temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Fahrenheit. And instead, this comet was a toasty -135 degrees F.
Comparing data with 20 other comets of varying chemical composition within the solar system, they spewed nickel and iron much like 2I/Borisov. Scientists have a few theories, including: "One possibility is that harsh ultraviolet light from the sun might break apart nickel-containing molecules in the comets." Scientists believe these traces were missed for so long because of the supposed unlikelihood of gaseous metals at such a low temperature.
Comparing data with 20 other comets of varying chemical composition within the solar system, they spewed nickel and iron much like 2I/Borisov. Scientists have a few theories, including: "One possibility is that harsh ultraviolet light from the sun might break apart nickel-containing molecules in the comets." Scientists believe these traces were missed for so long because of the supposed unlikelihood of gaseous metals at such a low temperature.
Nickel ( and iron ) dust? (Score:5, Insightful)
What if the nickel and iron are powdered, and mixed in with the ice? Then, when the ice sublimates, it releases the nickel ( and iron ) as well?
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What if the nickel and iron are powdered, and mixed in with the ice? Then, when the ice sublimates, it releases the nickel ( and iron ) as well?
Uh oh.
I seem to recall what happened the last time someone mixed iron with liquid...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
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That would make sense, but they never cover that in the link so I figure it was worth the ask.
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Not a bad guess though. The link was pretty thin on useful information, but your second comment made me go look at the Nature paper. The emission line are in the optical and pretty much have to be due to atomic vapor. If they were observing in x-ray, emission from vapor and powdered metal would be pretty much the same.
The authors posit photo-disassociation of some unlikely sounding metallorganic compound. Where did that come from? The second best thing seems like there is something very hot on that comet.
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Solved! (Score:1)
It's a Galactic Bounty Hunter chasing Oumuamua.
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I'm an American and I use Fahrenheit in my home, but at the extremes that are found in a science article I would much rather see Celsius or Kelvin. To be fair, the 800 F number is not all that extreme. You might find a pizza oven that gets that hot.
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So how does zero Fahrenheit relate to the human body? It only works like your mind because of force of habit, Celsius feels natural for people who use it. Celsius works like water. Are you not familiar with water?
I'm not saying it's aliens, but... (Score:2)
...it's aliens!!!1!eleven!!!
Something else we have to worry about (Score:3)
If we're going to travel through the cosmos. Space farts. Silent but deadly.
Quick, someone tell Elon! (Score:2)
Can we direct the mars program to this stellar object?
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Elon, found a new source of nickel, no more shortages.
Can we direct the mars program to this stellar object?
* Elon presses button on wristwatch *
* Deep in space, a "DON'T PANIC!" sign lights up on a dashboard *
(Elon) "Well, ah...we did kind of do some last minute navigation upgrades to the car..."
converted, you're welcome (Score:2)
...temperatures exceeding 426 degrees Celcius ....this comet was a toasty -92 degrees C
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Americans still insisting on using scales based on farts, smelly feet and foreign currency is really mentally retarded.
When will they finally clue in on the fact that no two farts are the same?
Nickel carbonyl? (Score:2)
Nickel plus carbon monoxide.
Gaseous nickels? (Score:2)
Now that's what I call inflation!
Aliens of non-advanced race? (Score:1)
Toasty! (Score:2)
I think your toaster is broken.
When the robots take over. (Score:2)
Cylon farts.