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Supernova-Produced ^{53}Mn on Earth.

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|August 4, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists detected supernova-formed manganese-53 (⁵³Mn) in deep ocean crusts, confirming its origin from a stellar explosion approximately 2.5 million years ago. This discovery marks the second radioisotope identified from this specific supernova event.

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Area of Science:

  • Cosmochemistry
  • Nuclear Astrophysics
  • Marine Geology

Background:

  • Cosmic rays produce manganese-53 (⁵³Mn) through interactions with atmospheric iron and manganese.
  • Previous studies identified excess iron-60 (⁶⁰Fe) in deep-sea sediments, indicating a nearby supernova event around 2.5 million years ago.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and origin of manganese-53 (⁵³Mn) in deep-sea ferromanganese crusts.
  • To confirm the supernova origin of previously detected iron-60 (⁶⁰Fe) by finding another supernova-produced isotope.
  • To constrain the properties of the progenitor star based on the measured isotopic ratios.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of deep-sea ferromanganese crusts dating from 1.5 to 4 million years before present.
  • Measurement of excess manganese-53 (⁵³Mn) concentrations relative to expected cosmogenic production.
  • Comparison of the temporal occurrence of ⁵³Mn with previously found ⁶⁰Fe.

Main Results:

  • An excess concentration of manganese-53 (⁵³Mn) was detected in ferromanganese crusts, with an abundance ratio of approximately 4×10⁻¹⁴.
  • The detected ⁵³Mn was found in the same time window (around 2.5 million years ago) as the previously identified ⁶⁰Fe.
  • The measured ⁵³Mn/⁶⁰Fe ratio of about 14 aligns with theoretical predictions for a supernova (SN) originating from a progenitor star with a mass of 11-25 solar masses and solar metallicity.

Conclusions:

  • The excess ⁵³Mn in ferromanganese crusts is confirmed to be of supernova origin.
  • This finding provides the first detection of supernova-produced ⁵³Mn and the second radioisotope identified from the same supernova event.
  • The isotopic ratio supports the supernova model and provides insights into the progenitor star's characteristics.