Astronomers have discovered an exciting way to use the Z machine to create "star stuff" that can solve many astronomical mysteries.
Scientists hope gained knowledge will shed more light on the archaeological history of star formation in our galaxy, the nature of dark matter, and the conditions at the center of our Sun.
The Z machine is the largest X-ray generator in the world and is designed to test materials in conditions of extreme temperature and pressure.
Operated by Sandia National Laboratories, it gathers data to aid in computer modeling of nuclear weapons. The Z machine is located at Sandia's main site in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What you might not have known is that the Z machine is also being used to create white dwarfs in the desert.
With help of the largest X-ray generator in the world, Astronomer Don Winget from the University of Texas at Austin, can create "star stuff" that will one day allow scientists to solve many of the mysteries of white dwarfs, which are extremely dense stars that are the ultimate end state of most stars in the universe, including our sun.
Astronomers will also use that knowledge to gain insight into the archaeological history of star formation in our galaxy, the nature of dark matter, and the conditions at the center of our sun, where the density is close to that of a white dwarf.
The experiments may even help push humanity closer to the dream of nuclear fusion as a meaningful energy source.
more
Astronomers Use The Z Machine To Create White Dwarfs In The Desert On Earth - MessageToEagle.com
Z Pulsed Power Facility
Scientists hope gained knowledge will shed more light on the archaeological history of star formation in our galaxy, the nature of dark matter, and the conditions at the center of our Sun.
The Z machine is the largest X-ray generator in the world and is designed to test materials in conditions of extreme temperature and pressure.
Operated by Sandia National Laboratories, it gathers data to aid in computer modeling of nuclear weapons. The Z machine is located at Sandia's main site in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
What you might not have known is that the Z machine is also being used to create white dwarfs in the desert.
With help of the largest X-ray generator in the world, Astronomer Don Winget from the University of Texas at Austin, can create "star stuff" that will one day allow scientists to solve many of the mysteries of white dwarfs, which are extremely dense stars that are the ultimate end state of most stars in the universe, including our sun.
Astronomers will also use that knowledge to gain insight into the archaeological history of star formation in our galaxy, the nature of dark matter, and the conditions at the center of our sun, where the density is close to that of a white dwarf.
The experiments may even help push humanity closer to the dream of nuclear fusion as a meaningful energy source.
more
Astronomers Use The Z Machine To Create White Dwarfs In The Desert On Earth - MessageToEagle.com
Z Pulsed Power Facility
