Massive supercomputer simulations unlock cosmic magnetic mystery
Key takeaways
- Magnetic fields are found everywhere in the universe, from planets and stars to entire galaxies.
- Now, researchers led by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison believe they may have uncovered the missing piece of the puzzle.
- In a new study published in Nature, the team used extremely detailed computer simulations to study plasma flows.
Why this matters: new research or scientific developments with potential real-world impact.
Magnetic fields are found everywhere in the universe, from planets and stars to entire galaxies. These invisible forces influence major cosmic events and processes, including solar storms, the movement of high energy particles, and even galaxy formation. While small magnetic fields are often chaotic and turbulent, much larger magnetic structures appear surprisingly organized. For decades, scientists have struggled to explain how disorder in space could create such large-scale order.
Now, researchers led by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison believe they may have uncovered the missing piece of the puzzle.
In a new study published in Nature, the team used extremely detailed computer simulations to study plasma flows. Their results suggest that large magnetic fields can emerge when turbulent plasma develops organized jet-like flows. The discovery introduces a new explanation for how cosmic magnetic fields form and could help scientists better understand everything from black hole formation to space weather near Earth.