Key Highlights:
- World-first discovery: Indian scientists directly measure magnetic fields near a massive infant star.
- Key findings: The magnetic field strength is 100 times stronger than Earth’s, supporting universal star formation theories.
- Global impact: Research confirms that jets from stars and black holes may share the same magnetic origins.
Indian Scientists Make Stellar Breakthrough in Astrophysics
For the first time ever, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, has successfully detected and measured magnetic fields near a newborn massive star—a discovery that could unlock secrets about how the universe’s biggest stars and galaxies form.
Massive stars, those eight to ten times heavier than our Sun, have long puzzled scientists. While theories existed, direct observations of their formation remained elusive—until now. The breakthrough study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, provides the first concrete evidence of magnetic forces shaping these cosmic giants.
A Rare Glimpse Into Stellar Nurseries
The team focused on IRAS 18162-2048, a massive protostar located 4,500 light-years away. Using advanced data from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in the U.S., they detected circularly polarized radio emissions—a clear signature of magnetic activity.
This allowed them to measure the magnetic field strength near the star, finding it to be 20-35 Gauss, roughly 100 times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field.
Why This Discovery Changes Everything
Until now, magnetic fields had only been observed around low-mass stars, like our Sun. This study proves that massive stars may form under similar magnetic influences, suggesting a universal star-birthing mechanism.
Dr. Sarita Vig, the lead researcher from IIST, emphasized the significance:
“Earlier studies relied on theoretical models, but now we have actual measurements from the star’s vicinity. This is a game-changer.”
Confirming a Decades-Old Cosmic Theory
The findings also support a long-standing astrophysics theory—that magnetic forces power cosmic jets erupting from stars and black holes alike.
Amal George Cheriyan, a PhD researcher and co-author, explained:
“This is the strongest evidence yet that jet formation follows the same physics, whether it’s a young star or a supermassive black hole.”
A Global Scientific Effort
The research was a collaborative effort involving IIST, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM), and Argentina’s Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.
This landmark study not only solves a decades-old cosmic mystery but also opens new doors for exploring how magnetic fields shape galaxies—bringing us one step closer to understanding the universe’s grand design.
Leave a Reply