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A Pioneering Ultraviolet Map from Our Galaxy
NASA’s New Horizons mission team at the Southwest Research Institute have unveiled an unprecedented ultraviolet mapping of the Milky Way galaxy, offering new insights into the region encircling our solar system and heliosphere. This spectral chart underscores the evenly distributed radiance of the ultraviolet “Lyman-alpha” backdrop around our sun and its sphere of influence.
What is the Lyman-alpha Map?
Generates spectral data using readings from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft the Lyman-alpha map illustrates the consistent brightness of the ultraviolet (UV) backdrop in the vicinity of our sun and its area of influence.
“Grasping the Lyman-alpha backdrop aids in illuminating neighboring galactic formations and activities,” said Dr. Randy Gladstone with the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Colorado. “This investigation implies that scorching interstellar gas bubbles, similar to the one our solar system is positioned within, could indeed be areas of heightened hydrogen gas discharges at the Lyman-alpha wavelength.”
Lyman-alpha, a distinct UV light wavelength emitted and diffused by hydrogen atoms, is invaluable for examining distant stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium. It aids in identifying the composition, temperature, and movement of these faraway entities.
The map features black dots representing around 90,000 known UV-bright stars in our galaxy.
Origins of the Lyman-alpha Data
The New Horizons craft, initially launched as the first expedition to encounter Pluto, amassed foundational data on Lyman-alpha discharges during its voyage to the diminutive, frozen world.
Subsequent to completing its initial objectives at Pluto, New Horizons’ ultraviolet spectrograph, dubbed “Alice,” conducted more frequent studies of Lyman-alpha discharges as the craft journeyed further from the sun. These observations included thorough surveys conducted in 2023, charting approximately 83% of the sky.
Significance of the New Horizons Discovery
Prior to this disclosure of maps and information, researchers hypothesized that a barrier of interstellar hydrogen atoms would build up as they approached the boundary of our heliosphere—the segment of our galaxy where solar wind from the sun encounters the interstellar medium. However, New Horizons’ data did not find evidence supporting the notion that this “wall” was a major source of Lyman-alpha emissions.
“These readings are groundbreaking, providing the first distinct view of the sky surrounding our solar system at these wavelengths and indicating new characteristics while contradicting older notions that the Alice New Horizons data does not substantiate,” said Dr. Alan Stern, the mission’s principal investigator at SwRI. “This Lyman-alpha map also sets a robust foundation for future probes to discover even more.”
Learn More
Explore more about New Horizons’ voyage beyond Pluto and recent studies focused on Lyman-alpha emissions. Additionally, access the scientific paper detailing the SwRI map and its discoveries in The Astronomical Journal.