In one of the most classical traditions of science, a new discovery on a molecular level has shed light on something of the comparatively macro. Today, that traditional nano-meta relationship is between the hydrogen molecule and the gas giant Saturn.
SO WHAT’S THE LINK?
Two physicists, Eugene Wigner and Hillard Bell explained in a theory published 80 years ago that when a lattice of hydrogen molecules is put under a certain, especially high level of pressure, the gas begins to behave like a metal, breaking into individual hydrogen atoms which release electrons. This generates an electrical current.
Now, the first experimental evidence for this reaction was discovered at the Sandia National Laboratory. Using a high-energy x-ray generator, hydrogen molecules were compressed without generating heat, and voila, the reaction predicted 80 years ago obtained.
WHAT THIS TEACHES US ABOUT SATURN
Believe it or not, this sheds light on the age of Saturn. Up until now, existing computerized models were used to determine the age of Jovian planets based on the radiation they emit (e.g. heat). The basic idea was that as the planet ages, it cools.
This model puts Jupiter at 4.5 billion years old, correlating with most alternative theories for planetary birth and maturity. However, this model puts Saturn at only 2.5 billion years old.
HOW COULD SATURN BE SUCH AN OUTLIER?
Sandia’s findings explain this difference by positing rain as a driving force for keeping the planet warm, and slowing down the cooling rate that the old computer models used to employ to predict a planet’s age. Researchers suggested that metallic hydrogen causes helium to condense in Saturn’s atmosphere into rain. This was suggested six years ago.
This helium rain heats the planet, meaning that the earlier, heat-based computer models are in large part inaccurate. So far, scientists still agree that Saturn should be around 4.5 billion years old like the rest of the gas giants, but it will be a while longer before the new laboratory work with hydrogen can be completed to give us a better understanding of Saturn’s aging process.
For now, you can follow the researchers’ findings in the journal Science.
How do you spark a child’s interest in space? Give them something to play with! Try the Space Scouts Summer Adventure.
Saturn and Hydrogen Form Synecdoche for Physicists
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