Our solar system resides in a unique low-density bubble called the Local Hot Bubble (LHB). Stretching at least 1,000 light-years, this region glows in X-rays due to its million-degree temperature. However, because its atoms are so sparse, this extreme heat barely affects the matter inside. It’s fortunate for life on Earth, but this enigmatic bubble has long puzzled astronomers.
Theories suggest that the LHB was carved out millions of years ago by supernova explosions. A chain of these stellar detonations likely blew away the interstellar medium, creating this expansive cavity. Recent breakthroughs from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) have shed light on the LHB's true nature and its intricate structure. READ MORE...
