Supernova origin of galactic turbulence revealed by superbubbles

IF 15.2 1区物理与天体物理 Q1 ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS

Nature Astronomy Pub Date : 2026-09-17 DOI:10.1038/s41550-026-02981-9

Fanyi Meng, Chao-Wei Tsai, Jingwen Wu, Sihan Jiao, Mordecai-Mark Mac Low, Zhi-Yu Zhang, Amélie Saintonge, Hui Li, Zongnan Li, Jie Wang, Lile Wang, Haitao Xu, Yanbin Yang, Kai Zhang, Rouyu Li, Di Li

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Abstract

Supernovae are among the leading candidates for powering galactic-scale turbulence. Supernovae drive expanding shells of neutral atomic hydrogen (H I) known as superbubbles. Due to the lack of a sensitive, dynamically complete, galaxy-wide census, superbubbles have not been demonstrated to dominate the galactic-scale turbulent energy budget. Here we present a combined Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope and Jansky Very Large Array H I survey of the Andromeda galaxy (M31), the nearest giant spiral. We identify 118 superbubbles across the entire disk of M31 with dynamical ages up to 40 Myr, consistent with the expected duration of supernova activity in a star cluster. Inferred from these superbubbles, the kinetic-energy-injection rates (1049–1051.5 erg kpc−3 Myr−1) from supernovae closely match the turbulence dissipation rates derived independently from the same data, in both magnitude and spatial distribution. These results demonstrate that clustered supernova feedback is sufficient to sustain galactic-scale turbulence, which shapes disk structure and influences galaxy evolution.

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超级气泡揭示的星系湍流的超新星起源

超新星是驱动银河系尺度湍流的主要候选者之一。超新星驱动膨胀的中性氢原子（H I）壳，称为超级气泡。由于缺乏敏感的、动态完整的、全星系范围的普查，超级气泡还没有被证明支配着星系尺度的湍流能量收支。在这里，我们展示了500米口径球面射电望远镜和Jansky甚大阵列H I对仙女座星系（M31）的联合调查，这是最近的巨大螺旋星系。我们在M31的整个圆盘上发现了118个超级气泡，它们的动态年龄高达40 Myr，与星团中超新星活动的预期持续时间一致。从这些超级气泡推断，超新星的动能注入速率（1049-1051.5 erg kpc−3 Myr−1）在量级和空间分布上与由相同数据独立得出的湍流耗散速率密切匹配。这些结果表明，星系团超新星反馈足以维持星系尺度的湍流，这种湍流形成了盘状结构并影响了星系的演化。

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来源期刊

Nature Astronomy Physics and Astronomy-Astronomy and Astrophysics

CiteScore

19.50

自引率

2.80%

发文量

252

期刊介绍： Nature Astronomy, the oldest science, has played a significant role in the history of Nature. Throughout the years, pioneering discoveries such as the first quasar, exoplanet, and understanding of spiral nebulae have been reported in the journal. With the introduction of Nature Astronomy, the field now receives expanded coverage, welcoming research in astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science. The primary objective is to encourage closer collaboration among researchers in these related areas. Similar to other journals under the Nature brand, Nature Astronomy boasts a devoted team of professional editors, ensuring fairness and rigorous peer-review processes. The journal maintains high standards in copy-editing and production, ensuring timely publication and editorial independence. In addition to original research, Nature Astronomy publishes a wide range of content, including Comments, Reviews, News and Views, Features, and Correspondence. This diverse collection covers various disciplines within astronomy and includes contributions from a diverse range of voices.