Scientists Found Supernova-Iron on Moon

Scientists have found evidence of supernova-iron in the lunar ground. This confirmed that there was supernova explosion that happened approximately two million years ago close to the solar system.

Science Daily reports that there was evidence in the form of concentration of the iron isotope 60 Fe that was found in the Pacific Ocean deep-sea crusts and in the ocean-floor sediment. This was the initial evidence found by the researchers in 1999.

Today, the researchers have discovered more substantial evidence. They demonstrated an unusually high concentration of 60Fe in the lunar ground samples too. The samples were collected between years 1969 to 1972 during the Apollos lunar mission 12, 15 and 16, which brought the lunar samples back to the planet Earth,

There was 60Fe that was discovered on the moon as a result of an explosion of the cosmic particles. These impacted the lunar surface and resulted in the transmutation of elements.

"We, therefore, assume that the 60Fe found in both terrestrial and lunar samples have the same source: The deposits are newly created stellar matter, produced in one or more supernovae," said Dr. Gunther Korschinek, a physicist at TUM and the scientist of the University of Excellence Structure and Origin of the Universe.

Generally, the moon gives a better cosmic record than the planet earth. The scientists were able to stipulate for the first time an upper limit for the flow of 60fe that must have gone to the moon. They can also insinuate the distance to the supernova incident. Dr. Korschinek said that the measured 60Fe-flow matches the distance to the supernova for about 300 light years.

NASA defines supernova as the largest explosion of the star that takes place in space. They are often seen in galaxies. The explosion happens when there is a change in the center of the star that may occur in two various ways. This results to supernova.

The first type of supernova is called binary star system wherein two stars orbit at the same point. The other type happens at the end of a single star's lifetime. The core of the star becomes heavy and cannot bear the gravitational force and then collapse resulting in a giant explosion.