The universe is full magnetic fields which intertwine with each other, influencing behavior within it, but also around it. It is well known that from Earth, and even from other planets. But not only these bodies have a magnetic field. Galaxies, for example, also have one. Astronomers have studied many galaxies, but they are all close, so there was a gap in information about those that are much further away from us. At least it has been so until now, because a group of scientists from European Southern Observatory (ESO) found the magnetic field of the most distant galaxy what has ever been analyzed in this regard.
They did it thanks to SOUL, astronomical project created by several countries and based in Chile. He is educated 66 antennasspecializing in taking action millimeter and submillimeter wavelengthsso that it is able to receive information from signals ranging from microwaves to far infrared.
Thus, the magnetic field of the galaxy was discovered, the light of which has gone to us. 11 billion years. This means not only that this is the magnetic field of a galaxy more distant than ever, but also that it gives us very interesting information about the beginning of the universe.
What do we know about the magnetic field of the galaxy?
A magnetic field is a force field resulting from movement of electric charges in a specific environment.
It is known, for example, that there is a magnetic field around the Earth, which has an effect inside it, for example, on the formation auroras. But also abroad, because of how it interacts with other celestial bodies.
In the case of planets like ours, the magnetic field is thought to be influenced by something known as dynamo effect. That is, the convection of an electrically conductive fluid, in our case, the molten iron of the earth’s core, together with rotational motion, is responsible for the generation of a magnetic field.
It’s with the earth pretty well researched. Extrapolated, for a long time it was believed that the same thing would happen with the magnetic field of the galaxy. But there was little evidence for this. Until recently, only a few individual galaxies had been mapped, and it was assumed that the dynamo effect would help keep their magnetic fields uniform.
Hypothesis change
In 2016, a group of scientists from Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands noted that this is a much more complex issue. After analyzing a much larger number of galaxies, they found that the speed of rotation, as well as the size, increase the magnetic field of the galaxy. Therefore, it was an individual thing, and not as monotonous as one might expect from dynamo effect.
These scientists concluded that perhaps this influence of other magnetic field factors took place in the youngest galaxies and that perhaps the oldest of them are driven by a dynamo effect. The problem is that at that time, the observation of the magnetic field of a distant galaxy, whose light was emitted a very long time ago, was almost impossible.
Thank you SOUL
A distant galaxy that has been found to have a magnetic field is 9io9known because it was discovered through a citizen science project in TV show.
Both this and other galaxies consist of a large number of dust grains, which, when in contact with a magnetic field, are ordered. In addition, light is polarized. That is, the rays of light, instead of fluctuating randomly, take the preferred direction. For this reason, ALMA is constantly looking for signals related to polarized light. He repeatedly did this with nearby galaxies, and it was hoped that the same could be done with distant ones. If ALMA cannot do this, it will be difficult to get other observatories. For this reason, finally managed to do the same with 9io9.
The magnetic field of this galaxy 1000 times weaker than that of the Earth, but it is very extensive. It extends approximately 16,000 light years. That’s why it was finally discovered.
Now it will be necessary to study how it affects other bodies around it. And, above all, to check whether it is true that in the past galaxies followed the dynamo hypothesis. Much to be learned; but for the moment there is also something to celebrate.
Source: Hiper Textual
