The scientists managed to detect the presence of O2 in the Markarian 231 galaxy, located 561 million light years from our planet.
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A group of astronomers led by Junzhi Wang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found evidence that it assumes the presence of molecular oxygen (O2) in Markarian 231, a galaxy a 561 million light years of the Earth, according to an investigation published in The Atrophysical Journal.
Scientists have described Markarian 231 as a galactic nucleus driven by an extremely luminous quasar, considered the closest to our planet known so far. In addition, it has a supermassive black hole active in the center.
Using the IRAM 30M and NOEMA radio telescopes, astronomers made deep observations of the galaxy at various wavelengths, which allowed them to detect by first time an emission of molecular oxygen outside the Milky Way.
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O2 emissions were detected in regions about 32.6 light years away from the center of the galaxy. According to the current hypothesis, these originate because the intense radiation present in the newly formed stars sublimates the ice particles, thus releasing oxygen.
This phenomenon is not new to astronomers, since it had been observed previously in the Orion Nebula. However, measurements revealed that the abundance of oxygen present in Markarian 231 is 100 times higher.
Nevertheless, the researchers recognize the need to carry out more observations to corroborate the interpretation of their results. If confirmed, this phenomenon would help scientists better understand the behavior of molecular oxygen in galaxies, as well as the molecular outflow of an active galactic nucleus.
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