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Supernova remnant reveals magnesium in abundance CHANDRA X-RAY CENTER NEWS RELEASE Posted: March 28, 2004
Magnesium, created deep inside the star and ejected in the supernova explosion, is usually associated with correspondingly high concentrations of oxygen. However, the Chandra data indicate that the amount of oxygen in N49B is not exceptional. This poses a puzzle as to how the excess magnesium was created, or, alternatively, how the excess oxygen has escaped detection. The amount of magnesium in N49B is estimated to be about equal to the total mass of the Sun. Since the Sun contains only about 0.1% of magnesium by mass, the total mass of magnesium N49B is about a thousand times that in the Sun and its planets. Magnesium, the eighth most abundant material in the Earth's crust, is a mineral needed by every cell of our bodies. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, and bones strong. It is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Fortunately for us, and thanks to stars such as the one that produced N49B, there is an abundant supply of magnesium in the Universe. |
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Viking patch This embroidered mission patch celebrates NASA's Viking Project which reached the Red Planet in 1976. Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide  Shuttle pin  This lapel pin features the official crew emblem for the STS-121 space shuttle mission. The emblem depicts Discovery docked to the International Space Station.Choose your store:U.S. Apollo 7 DVD  For 11 days the crew of Apollo 7 fought colds while they put the Apollo spacecraft through a workout, establishing confidence in the machine what would lead directly to the bold decision to send Apollo 8 to the moon just 2 months later.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide From the NASA Archives  This three-disc DVD contains rare footage from the pioneering Gemini space missions of the 1960s and an original hour-long documentary.Choose your store:U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide |
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NASA's experimental X-43A hypersonic research aircraft is successfully launched by a Pegasus rocket off the coast of California on March 27. (2min 40sec file)
The latest pictures and science results from the twin Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity are presented at this briefing on Friday. (50min 02sec file)
Neil Armstrong accepts the Rotary National Space Trophy for career contributions in aerospace. He says President Bush's plan to return to the Moon is economically feasible and has "substantial merit and promise." (12min 10sec)