Scientists have recently charted the protective ‘bubble’ surrounding our planet.

It’s really shaped more like a chimney.

A 3D map that reconstructs the evolutionary history of the “Local Bubble” has been created by researchers from the Center for Astrophysics and the Space Telescope Science Institute. This cavity of cold gas and dust, spanning 1,000 light-years, is responsible for the formation of nearby young stars, including our sun. The study indicates that Earth, along with all the stars and star-forming regions within 500 light-years of our planet, reside on the surface of this bubble. Catherine Zucker, the lead author of the study and an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute, believes that this insight is valuable and could contribute to a better understanding of our galaxy. The discovery of Earth’s position within the Local Bubble was accidental, as the initial intention was to create a map of the major landmarks in our galactic neighborhood. However, the team noticed a convergence of stars near the surface of the bubble, leading to this remarkable revelation.

Using a software program called Glue and data from the space observatory Gaia, Zucker’s team was able to create a precise map of the stars’ locations, revealing that the origin of the bubble can be traced back to a series of supernovae explosions approximately 14 million years ago. These explosions caused interstellar gas to be pushed outward, forming expanding shells that eventually fragmented and collapsed into nearby molecular clouds.

Zucker describes the shape of the Milky Way as resembling a thin pancake. When supernovae occur in the center of the disk, the resulting bubbles puncture the surface of the “pancake” and affect its overall structure. These bubbles can come into contact with each other and even collide.

The team’s findings also indicate that the structure of the Local Bubble is not actually bubble-shaped, but rather resembles a “galactic chimney.”

According to Zucker, the data from Gaia was crucial in their research. Launched in 2013 by the European Space Agency, Gaia surveys approximately 1 billion stars, which is less than 1 percent of the total stars in the Milky Way. Its mission is to create the most comprehensive and accurate map of our galaxy.

Without the high-quality measurements provided by Gaia, studying the complexities of star formation in the universe would be an incredibly challenging task. Once all the necessary datasets were collected, the team was able to construct a 3D model of the Local Bubble in just three hours. Zucker explains that with knowledge of the 3D positions and motions of these young stars, it is possible to simulate their movements forwards and backwards in time.

Astronomers can gain insight into the evolution of star-forming regions by reconstructing their history. This knowledge is crucial in comprehending the impact dying stars have on the creation of new ones and its implications for the entire galaxy.

According to Adam Frank, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Rochester, the Local Bubble serves as a remarkable example of how frequently star formation occurs due to the explosion of supernovae, compared to other modes of formation.

Although our planet only entered the Local Bubble approximately 5 million years ago, Frank ponders whether the proximity of exploding supernovae had any influence on life on Earth. He explains that supernovae and hypernovae have the potential to sterilize their surroundings, potentially eradicating or affecting any existing life forms if they are in close proximity.

Fortunately, we know that Earth’s early primordial soup managed to survive. However, for certain stars in our galaxy, death is not the end but rather a rebirth. Frank emphasizes that comprehending the life cycle of stars is crucial in understanding many of our fundamental concerns. The recycling of heavy elements released and reformed by stars is what sustains life on Earth.

“We wouldn’t be here,” Frank says. “Life wouldn’t be possible without … silicon and iron, magnesium, calcium, and all these other elements, which are born inside stars.”

Correction (January 13, 2022): An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy Gaia space observatory surveys as 100 billion. The number is actually about 1 percent of the galaxy’s 100 billion stars, or approximately 1 billion.

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