What is the origin of magnetic fields in the universe?

The Earth’s magnetic field plays an important role for humanity; ultimately protecting the planet from cosmic radiation and particles from the solar wind. Without this protection, life as we know it would probably not exist. But, magnetic fields are not limited to the Earth; This kind of force also manifests itself everywhere in the universe.

In the case of terrestrial magnetism, its origin lies in a phenomenon called the dynamo effect. This mechanism works like this: In the planet’s core, the combination of rotation and intense heat produces convection currents in the outer core, which consists of energy-conducting liquid metal.

These electric currents They produce magnetic fields when they interact with the Earth’s rotational motion. Although the Earth’s magnetic field is indispensable for living things, its effect is limited to the region close to the planet, where the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface are protected.

In other words, the force generated in the Earth’s core does not affect more distant regions in space. But there are magnetic fields on much larger scales in the universe, such as the magnetic fields that permeate massive stars and galaxies.

“Magnetic fields such as the Earth’s cause magnetic compass needles and other permanent magnets to align in the direction of the field. These fields also force moving electrically charged particles to follow a circular or spiral path.

Although the magnetic field was invisible to the human eye, it was vital in maintaining the conditions that allowed life to thrive on Earth.

On the other hand, Cosmic magnetic fields can influence astrophysical processes in entire galaxies and other parts of the universe, with pulsars accelerating particles that produce intense radio emissions.

Magnetic fields of the universe

The subject has been researched for a long time and The basic hypothesis of the scientific community is that the first magnetic fields in the universe arose from physical processes that occurred shortly after the Big Bang.. These fields may have arisen as a result of the movement of charged particles or other cosmic interactions.

Astronomers note that astrophysical objects are often immersed in different types of magnetic fields. This doesn’t just happen in the Solar System; There is evidence that these fields exist even in the space between galaxies. Although they are considered weak, they play an important role in various processes.

In a study published in the scientific journal PNAS, a team of scientists conducted the first supercomputer simulations of the universe’s magnetic fields. These fields may have played a crucial role in the processes that shaped the current universe, including the formation of the Earth’s magnetic field.

The simulation results investigate the plasma dynamics that exist between galaxies and stars, suggesting that these initial fields may have arisen spontaneously due to the ‘general’ movements of these dynamics.

The researchers’ idea is to continue improving this model to see if it is consistent with data from astronomical observations.

One of the authors, Ellen Zweibel, a professor at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, states that this is a subject that remains a mystery to science. Although some transactions Although it is understood that they occurred before and after the formation of the first magnetic fields, their origins are unknown..

For now, the fundamental question about the origin of the universe’s first magnetic fields remains unanswered. However, with the development of supercomputers and artificial intelligence, we will come closer to finding a more realistic explanation.

“Clearly this cannot be attributed to the activity of individual galaxies, isolated explosions or, I don’t know, supernova winds. It goes much further than that,” said astrophysicist Franco Vazza of the University of Bologna in a message to the Quanta Magazine website.

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