There is a place in space that is colder than space itself.
is the temperature at which all molecular motion stops. Molecules cannot slow any further than total motionlessness, and now with our proper understanding of what temperature actually is, it's obvious that this would be the absolute coldest any physical thing can get. There is simply nothing colder. This temperature is, appropriately enough, called absolute zero , or a little more than one degree Celsius above absolute zero.
Keith Taylor and Mike Scarrott using the Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, though at the time the most exciting thing about it was that—from the perspective of the ground-based observation anyway—the nebula looked like a boomerang.
"One can say the Boomerang acts as a refrigerator," astronomer Lars-Ake Nyman, who carried out the temperature measurements in 2003, told theat the time."Normally the cosmic microwave background photons would excite the gas to at least its own temperature. [But] the gas self-shields itself, and the photons from the microwave background do not penetrate deep into the outflow. The low temperature of the gas in the outflow, therefore, stays low.
However, this won't last forever since there is a limited amount of mass remaining to eject from the nebula's central star. Eventually, the force driving the frigid gas cloud into the cosmos will dissipate, and the laws of thermodynamics will establish an equilibrium, ultimately raising the temperature of gases from the Boomerang Nebula up to the level of the cosmic microwave background.
Until then, bundle up, as it will remain the coldest place in the known universe and isn't likely to surrender that crown any time soon.Stay ahead with the latest science, technology and innovation news, for free:
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Space Pirate Episode Was Y'aaarsome'The Serene Squall' went in on three s's: Spock, Sex.. and Space-Pirates. Shush, it's hyphenated, it works.
Read more »
16 Early Prime Day 2022 Home Deals to Elevate Your SpaceMake your house a home—for less.
Read more »
How to hike through 25 miles of green space in BostonDuring the first pandemic winter, Miles Howard did a lot of walking around Boston. The experience inspired him to plot a 25-mile urban trail -- the Walking City Trail -- that connects many of the city's green spaces.
Read more »
James Webb Space Telescope finally ready to do science, sees universe more clearly than hopedNASA is set to release the James Webb Space Telescope's first images July 12. A scientist on the team explains what it took to get it up and running.
Read more »
Ukrainian restaurateur renames space, distinguishes cuisine’s cultureSergei Shukailo has changed his Belden Square eatery’s name from Pushkin, after the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, to Leleka, a type of stork native to Ukraine. 'Our doors are open to everyone who wants to eat really great dumplings.”
Read more »