Magnetic Fields Set Stage for Birth of New Stars

The above story is reprinted from  materials provided by Max Planck Institute for Astronomy.
Date Article Written: Nov. 16, 2011

Researchers have measured the alignment of magnetic fields in big clouds of gas and dust in a far away galaxy. Their findings show that such magnetic fields play an important role in directing matter to form thicker clouds, in that way preparing the environment for the birth of new stars. This work is published in the journal Nature.

Stars and planets are born when giant clouds of interstellar gas and dust collapse. Astronomers know a lot about these molecular clouds: They consist mainly of hydrogen molecules -- unusual in space where conditions are rarely right for hydrogen atoms to bond together into molecules. We have all seen the resulting stellar nurseries in beautiful astronomical images: Colorful nebulae, lit by the bright young stars they have made.

We all like to look at the night sky and imagine what it might be like out there. Astronomers have powerful telescopes and the knowledge to bring these mysteries closer to us. It is fascinating to know that behind these beautiful images lies a whole history of important events that may sound fantastic and too abstract but are actually influencing our little planet as well. Space exploration seems to take so much work and give so little results but in the big picture we owe it a lot and we shouldn't take it for granted.

Site:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116132119.htm