Explosive origin of lithium

Representation of a classical nova. The explosion takes place on the surface of the white dwarf (right center of the image), with a travel star parallel to the Sun or in a more advanced phase of evolution

The lithium of the universe comes from several origins: one part was formed in the Big Bang itself and another in the nuclear reactions caused by cosmic rays. However, in view of the abundance of this element in the Milky Way, astronomers have postulated two other sources of lithium: the red giants and the novas (white dwarf explosions). Lithium has been observed in the former, while in the latter it has not been possible until now.

The observation has been made by astronomers at the Japan Astronomical Observatory and has been made known in the journal Nature. Specifically, the signal of radioactive beryllium has been detected in the boyfriend V339, between 38-48 days of the explosion. The disintegration of this element originates lithium, specifically the nucleus of LITIO-7. The results of the study reveal that newbies can play a more important role in the formation of lithium, although previously thought.