Hydrogen absorbs the light stars

1997/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

Two IBM scientists discover a mystery that astronomers have not been able to solve in the last 76 years. The light of hot stars arriving on Earth, at certain wavelengths, slows down by being absorbed by an unknown matter of space. Since this phenomenon was known in 1920, astronomers have noticed many similar errors. Finally, IBM scientists have clarified the cause of absorption: molecular hydrogen absorbs light.

The loss of light is due to the different length unih, phenomenon known as DIB (Diffuse Interstellar Band). Scientists, for their part, have claimed that the DIB photon can be aspirated as a pair of conventional photons in special circumstances. Likewise, when the DIB photon meets molecular hydrogen, the ultraviolet photon can lead the molecule to a warmer state.