Massive stars produced at the collapse of giant molecular clouds, form compact groups and remain tightly linked during their entire life. Acceleration of particles in these objects can be initiated by interacting winds directly in the vicinity of stars or in the so-called superbubbles driven by stellar winds and SN explosions (see Figure).
The conditions in these objects can be more favorable for particle acceleration to PeV energies than in individual SNRs. This makes the clusters of massive young stars an attractive alternative to SNRs as CR factories contributing to the highest energy CRs around the “knee”.
DIAS researchers have led a team to report on a compelling similarity of the energy and radial distributions of multi-TeV protons extracted from observations of gamma-ray from these extended structures surrounding three young star clusters (for detail see https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-019-0724-0). The derived 1/r decrement of the CR density with the distance from a star cluster is a distinct signature of continuous, over a few million years, cosmic ray injection into the interstellar medium. The hard (E-2.3 type) energy spectra and the required high acceleration efficiency derived from gamma-ray data, point to clusters of young massive stars as promising candidates for cosmic PeVatrons (accelerators boosting the energy of protons up to energy 1 PeV=1015 eV) and dominant contributors to the flux of highest energy cosmic rays in the Milky Way.
We heard it might be a big space anniversary over @NASA , but we didn’t want one of our own be eclipsed! @DIASDunsink hosts the instruments that captured the first images of a solar eclipse 100 years ago and helped support Einstein’s theory of relativity. #DIASdiscovers#Eclipse
The third technician @DIAS_Dublin who worked on the #Apollo 16 cosmic ray data was Emer Kee! She later went on to be a scientific lab technician in @LYIT and is now retired. A massive thanks again to Emer, Hilary, and Dinah for making DIAS space research pioneers!
#DIASdiscovers
A lot to celebrate for #Apollo50 this week, including Dinah Molloy--another technician who worked on the Apollo 16 cosmic ray data @DIAS_Dublin! Dinah is now an assoc researcher @scottpolar in Cambridge and a research associate in @TCEHTCD.
#DIASdiscovers#WomenInSTEM
What does DIAS do?📚
Check out the video below for an introduction to DIAS and the exciting research questions we are tackling!
youtu.be/JFVLdzT9G3k#DIASdiscovers
50 years ago, the historic #Apollo11 mission launched 🚀, bringing the first humans to the moon! If they had visited the far side of the 🌖,they may have seen Ellison crater, named after former @DUNSINK_Dublin and School of Cosmic Physics director Mervyn Ellison.
#DIASdiscovers
Hilary O'Donnell was one of the three DIAS technicians instrumental in analyzing data form Ireland's first space experiment measuring cosmic rays on #Apollo 16. She is now retired and volunteers in @DIASDunsink as an outreach coordinator and caretaker.
#DIASdiscovers#WomenInSTEM
Prof Teresa Lago, Sec Gen of @IAU_org, was back in Dublin July 4 to mark 100 years of the IAU, discussed Ireland’s long history of IAU association, the links between Portugal and Ireland joining @ESO, and the need for better gender representation within the IAU.
#DIASdiscovers
In the words of Michelle Obama, “you have walked through that door of opportunity, and thank you for reaching back and supporting others” @mitchelloconnor thanking Professor Teresa Lago, Sec Gen of @IAU_org, for her work trailblazing a path for women in Astronomy.
#DIASdiscovers
“The wonder of space, has for decades, inspired us all to learn more about our universe and our planet.” @mitchelloconnor welcomed Professor Teresa Lago to DIAS on July 4 to mark 100 years of @IAU_org and kick off our series of events celebrating #Apollo50!
#DIASdiscovers
This week, we are celebrating the three female technicians, Emer Kee, Dinah Molloy and Hilary O’Donnell. These women analyzed cosmic ray data with Prof Denis O'Sullivan from Ireland's first space experiment on #Apollo 16. 👩🔬#DIASdiscovers#WomenInSTEM
DIAS-led team finds evidence that Young Star Clusters make Cosmic Rays
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Last Updated: 17th April 2019 by Niamh Breathnach
Massive stars produced at the collapse of giant molecular clouds, form compact groups and remain tightly linked during their entire life. Acceleration of particles in these objects can be initiated by interacting winds directly in the vicinity of stars or in the so-called superbubbles driven by stellar winds and SN explosions (see Figure).
The conditions in these objects can be more favorable for particle acceleration to PeV energies than in individual SNRs. This makes the clusters of massive young stars an attractive alternative to SNRs as CR factories contributing to the highest energy CRs around the “knee”.
DIAS researchers have led a team to report on a compelling similarity of the energy and radial distributions of multi-TeV protons extracted from observations of gamma-ray from these extended structures surrounding three young star clusters (for detail see https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-019-0724-0). The derived 1/r decrement of the CR density with the distance from a star cluster is a distinct signature of continuous, over a few million years, cosmic ray injection into the interstellar medium. The hard (E-2.3 type) energy spectra and the required high acceleration efficiency derived from gamma-ray data, point to clusters of young massive stars as promising candidates for cosmic PeVatrons (accelerators boosting the energy of protons up to energy 1 PeV=1015 eV) and dominant contributors to the flux of highest energy cosmic rays in the Milky Way.
Category: Astronomy and Astrophysics Section News & Events, Featured Blog Posts, News
We heard it might be a big space anniversary over @NASA , but we didn’t want one of our own be eclipsed! @DIASDunsink hosts the instruments that captured the first images of a solar eclipse 100 years ago and helped support Einstein’s theory of relativity. #DIASdiscovers #Eclipse
The third technician @DIAS_Dublin who worked on the #Apollo 16 cosmic ray data was Emer Kee! She later went on to be a scientific lab technician in @LYIT and is now retired. A massive thanks again to Emer, Hilary, and Dinah for making DIAS space research pioneers! #DIASdiscovers
✨"The excitement of it was magical"✨ Dinah Molloy in @thejournal_ie discussing the #Apollo11 Moon landing and her work as a technician at DIAS on material from the first Irish experiment in space on Apollo 16: thejournal.ie/moon-landing-i… #DIASdiscovers #Apollo50
A lot to celebrate for #Apollo50 this week, including Dinah Molloy--another technician who worked on the Apollo 16 cosmic ray data @DIAS_Dublin! Dinah is now an assoc researcher @scottpolar in Cambridge and a research associate in @TCEHTCD. #DIASdiscovers #WomenInSTEM
What does DIAS do?📚 Check out the video below for an introduction to DIAS and the exciting research questions we are tackling! youtu.be/JFVLdzT9G3k #DIASdiscovers
50 years ago, the historic #Apollo11 mission launched 🚀, bringing the first humans to the moon! If they had visited the far side of the 🌖,they may have seen Ellison crater, named after former @DUNSINK_Dublin and School of Cosmic Physics director Mervyn Ellison. #DIASdiscovers
Hilary O'Donnell was one of the three DIAS technicians instrumental in analyzing data form Ireland's first space experiment measuring cosmic rays on #Apollo 16. She is now retired and volunteers in @DIASDunsink as an outreach coordinator and caretaker. #DIASdiscovers #WomenInSTEM
“There is still a profound sense of wonder” ☄️ Our own @petertgallagher, Head of Astronomy & Astrophysics, on yesterday's @bbcradioulster #SundaySequence discussing the legacy of #Apollo11 with @AudreyCarville and guests: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… #DIASDiscovers #Apollo50
Prof Teresa Lago, Sec Gen of @IAU_org, was back in Dublin July 4 to mark 100 years of the IAU, discussed Ireland’s long history of IAU association, the links between Portugal and Ireland joining @ESO, and the need for better gender representation within the IAU. #DIASdiscovers
In the words of Michelle Obama, “you have walked through that door of opportunity, and thank you for reaching back and supporting others” @mitchelloconnor thanking Professor Teresa Lago, Sec Gen of @IAU_org, for her work trailblazing a path for women in Astronomy. #DIASdiscovers
Senior Professor @petertgallagher, of @DIASAstronomy helping to "inspire the next generation of scientific explorers" @I_LOFAR's new AstroLands that will stage space camps and workshops. Pictured in: irishtimes.com/news/science/n… in the @IrishTimes by @KOSullivanIT #DIASdiscovers
“The wonder of space, has for decades, inspired us all to learn more about our universe and our planet.” @mitchelloconnor welcomed Professor Teresa Lago to DIAS on July 4 to mark 100 years of @IAU_org and kick off our series of events celebrating #Apollo50! #DIASdiscovers
This week, we are celebrating the three female technicians, Emer Kee, Dinah Molloy and Hilary O’Donnell. These women analyzed cosmic ray data with Prof Denis O'Sullivan from Ireland's first space experiment on #Apollo 16. 👩🔬#DIASdiscovers #WomenInSTEM