Astronomers have reportedly discovered an “interstellar tunnel” near our Sun, which could potentially connect to other star systems.
A recent publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics has revealed the presence of a tunnel within the expansive hot gas structure known as the Local Hot Bubble, which extends hundreds of light-years and envelops our solar system. Additionally, the research suggests a possible link to an even larger adjacent bubble.
The comprehensive data from the eROSITA telescope, the first X-ray observatory entirely outside Earth’s atmosphere, was used to create a three-dimensional model of the entire Local Hot Bubble system. This model confirmed many anticipated features and also disclosed new ones.
The study suggests that this interstellar tunnel may be part of a vast network of interstellar mediums throughout the Milky Way, formed by the energy emitted from stars.
The complexity of the original study is such that even professional astronomers might struggle to grasp it without simplification. Consequently, attempts to simplify the findings for a broader audience have also been challenging, although the concepts can be explained simply. It is beneficial to explain these findings, as the discovery is quite significant.
The bulk of the Galaxy consists of the interstellar medium, composed of extremely rarefied gas. Astronomers, having estimated its approximate density, concluded in the mid-20th century that despite its sparsity, the immense volume of this medium contains a significant amount of matter, which should absorb X-rays and other forms of radiation.
Yet, this absorption is not observed in practice, leading to the hypothesis of void bubbles drifting through the Galaxy like bubbles in water. Our Sun currently traverses one such bubble, the Local Hot Bubble.
The eROSITA telescope appears to be equipped with advanced instruments that have not only mapped the Local Hot Bubble (LHB) effectively but also identified its connections with other similar bubbles. Consequently, we have obtained a model that resembles interconnected “nerve cells,” each spanning 1000 light-years, rather than mere “bubbles in water.”
This may also hint at the galaxy being composed of an entire interconnected network of hot bubbles and interstellar tunnels, a concept suggested in 1974 but with scant evidence found since. We might now be close to uncovering this network, which could, in turn, enlighten us about our galaxy’s recent history.
Firstly, the concept of a superstructure challenges the prevailing theory that bubbles are created by supernova explosions. If this is the case, the origin of these bubbles becomes a mystery.
Secondly, the idea of a “web,” akin to portals to the warp in science fiction, has a tangible parallel in reality. It would not be surprising if, in time, we learn that Nibiru emerged from such a star-spanning tunnel.
Thirdly, if these bubbles are analogous to neurons, which collectively form a brain, it suggests that our solar system could be akin to the nucleus or mitochondria of a cell within a brain as vast as the Galaxy. With 100 billion cells in the brain and an equal number of stars in the Galaxy, each surrounded by a bubble and linked to other bubbles, the comparison is intriguing.
