Science

A New Map of ‘Empty’ Space Challenges a Tranquil Picture of the Galaxy

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Briefings

A 2020 NASA New Horizons study revealed that the interstellar medium contains a faint hydrogen fog with approximately 130 atoms per liter, challenging the perception of empty space. This finding provides a quantitative baseline for understanding cosmic density, though the specific distribution of these atoms across the galaxy remains unmeasured.

Key points

• NASA's New Horizons spacecraft measured 130 hydrogen atoms per liter in the interstellar medium between stars.
• The study was conducted in 2020 after the spacecraft passed Pluto's orbit.

Context

This research provides a quantitative baseline for understanding cosmic density, challenging the perception of empty space by revealing a faint hydrogen fog within the interstellar medium.

Limitations

The specific distribution of these atoms across the galaxy remains unmeasured, and the study only covers the area between stars in our galaxy.

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