The boron isotope ratio in the interstellar medium

Details The boron isotope ratio in the interstellar medium The boron isotope ratio in the interstellar medium

Jun 1996

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996natur.381..764f&link_type=abstract

Nature, Volume 381, Issue 6585, pp. 764-766 (1996).

Computer Science

29

Scientific paper

OBSERVATIONS of the abundances of elements provide insight into their production and distribution. The production of light elements (in particular, lithium, beryllium and boron) is dominated by spallation reactions1, in which cosmic rays break apart more massive nuclei. Models2,3 suggest that the 11B/10B ratio should be about 2.5, but the observed ratio in the Solar System is about 4 (refs 4,5). This has led to the suggestion5 that the pre-solar nebula was subjected to bombardment by low-energy Galactic cosmic rays, leading to an overproduction of 11B (ref. 6). Until now, it has not been possible to measure the 11B/10B ratio in the interstellar medium, because the lines are very weak. Here we present a spectroscopic measurement of the 11B/10B ratio in the interstellar gas lying between the Earth and the star δ Scorpii, made using the Hubble Space Telescope. Our measured ratio, 3.4+1.3-0.6, is comparable to the meteoritic value5, but somewhat lower. Further measurements will be needed to establish whether the ratio reported here is characteristic of the interstellar medium in general.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The boron isotope ratio in the interstellar medium does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The boron isotope ratio in the interstellar medium, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The boron isotope ratio in the interstellar medium will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1302519