The observation is the first evidence that this type of low-mass star, known as T Taurus, surrounded by a planet-forming disk of gas and dust, can emit gamma rays. This type of radiation is therefore the most energetic form of light. In the long term, these findings may have important implications for our understanding of the formation ages of stars and planetary systems. “This observational evidence is important in understanding the origin of a source that has remained unknown for more than a decade, and undoubtedly represents an advance in astronomy,” said discovery team leader and astronomer at the University of La Plata. One Agostina Filocomo said. said in her statement. “It’s also important to understand the processes that occur in the early stages of star formation. When T Taurus produces gamma rays, it affects the gaseous state of the protoplanetary disk and, in turn, the evolution of planet formation. .” Astronomers have documented observations of this fascinating star using the Fermi satellite telescope, which observes the universe in gamma rays. This means that the telescope can collect high-energy radiation data that is difficult to collect from the surface of the earth. Fermi has been observing the sky since her 2008 launch, but about 30% of the observed gamma rays still don’t match their source. So Filocomo and her team set out to identify some of these mysterious sources. RELATED: Strange new cosmic object is the most magnetic star in the universe.

Gamma rays can come from young stars that have had tantrums. Basically, the research team found that many of the gamma rays appear to originate from regions of the star that are actively forming. This is difficult to explain, so the team needed a deeper investigation, focusing on the star-forming region NGC 2071. In particular, Filócomo and colleagues searched for the T. Taurus star in NGC 2071, located in the northern part of molecular cloud Orion B about 1,350 light-years from Earth. The T. Tauri star is noteworthy because it is often found near star-forming regions and is still obscured by the gas and dust from which it formed. And because they are encased in these gaseous cradles, T. The stars in Taurus are a type of variable star because their brightness levels fluctuate. The research team has identified three different unidentified gamma-ray sources that appear to be coming from the direction of NGC 2071. NGC 2071 is currently known to form at least 58 T Taurus stars. The researchers argued that there were no other possible sources of gamma radiation in the area. The team is T. Taurus stars sporadically emit gamma rays during intense flare events called “megaflares,” which occur when magnetic energy stored in a young star’s atmosphere is released in the form of a powerful electromagnetic burst. You may. This concept is similar to how solar flares are caused by the Sun, but on a much larger scale. Megaflares can extend to distances many times the radius of the star that originally emitted them, and are so powerful that life on Earth would be endangered if the Sun caused such a flare.

source: https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/525/2/1726/7246694?login=false