"Roaming" Magnetic Fields Found

[n2doc]

Brian Handwerk
for National Geographic News
Published April 1, 2010 (corrected April 2, 2010)

Weak magnetic fields are "roaming" across the universe, according to a new study that may have solved the mystery of where the huge magnetic fields around galaxies come from.

Galaxies such as our Milky Way have their own large-scale magnetic fields. Although these fields are weak compared to planetary fields, scientists think the galactic versions help establish rates of star formation, guide cosmic rays, and regulate the dynamics of interstellar gas.

Most scientists believe the stronger magnetic fields of today's adult galaxies grew from weaker "seed" fields. But it's unclear where these older fields originated.

The two leading theories: The seed fields were created by the movement of charged gas in protogalaxies, or they were produced outside of galaxies by some unseen processes in the early universe.

New observations made with NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope support the idea that the seeds were there all along, even before galaxies themselves.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/100401-magnetic-fields-galaxies-seeds-fermi/

[damntexdem]

1. Could this explain why my socks get lost in the laundry?

;-)

[shraby]

2. Not unless you wear steel-toed socks.