
Scientists Crack Star-Birthing Mystery: Indian Team First To Measure Magnetism Near Infant Massive Star
Massive stars, those more than 8 to 10 times the mass of our Sun, have long baffled astrophysicists. Their formation process remained largely theoretical, especially because measuring magnetism around such nascent giants was nearly impossible, until now.
A Peek Into Star-Birthing Nurseries
The study focused on a massive protostar named IRAS 18162-2048, situated 4,500 light years away. Using cutting-edge data from the Karl G Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in the US, the team observed a rare phenomenon: circularly polarised radio emissions. This form of emission is a telltale marker of magnetic fields.
Thanks to this detection, the researchers were able to measure the magnetic field in the star's immediate surroundings, finding it to be between 20-35 Gauss, which is about 100 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field.
Why This Matters?
This is a landmark achievement in astrophysics. Previously, such magnetic fields had only been inferred or observed in low-mass protostars, like those that form stars similar to our Sun. But this study shows that even massive stars may follow similar magnetic pathways during formation, suggesting a universal mechanism behind star births.
Dr Sarita Vig, the lead scientist from IIST who conceptualised the study, emphasised its importance:
'These magnetic field values are now scientifically measured from near the protostar, unlike earlier studies that relied on theoretical models.'
Proving a Universal Theory
The findings also support a long-standing theory in astrophysics, that jets seen erupting from stars and black holes are all powered by the same magnetic engine.
'This is the first strong evidence that jet formation physics is universal, whether it's a young star or a distant black hole,' said Amal George Cheriyan, a PhD researcher at IIST and co-author of the paper.
Global Collaboration
The work was a joint effort between IIST and leading institutions including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina).
Published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, this pioneering research not only solves a decades-old cosmic puzzle but also opens new paths to explore how magnetic forces influence the birth and evolution of galaxies.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Solar Eclipse on August 2: Will US witness the awe-inspiring celestial spectacle? NASA shares crucial tips
While total solar eclipses are mostly fascinating, the August 2027 event stands out for its exceptional length A remarkable total solar eclipse will darken the skies over parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East on August 2, 2027. This isn't a regular eclipse, with totality extending up to a remarkable six minutes and 23 seconds. It promises to be one of the most significant celestial occurrences of the century. While total solar eclipses are mostly fascinating, the August 2027 event stands out for its exceptional length. Most total eclipses offer only a brief glimpse of the sun's corona, often for less than three minutes. However, according to the upcoming eclipse breaks this norm, making it the longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and 2114. ALSO READ: Coldplay concert row: Astronomer's new CEO to get whopping salary after Andy Byron's resignation? Here's the truth The total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, August 2, 2027, during the early to mid-afternoon hours, depending on your location. The 2027 eclipse will not be visible in many parts of the world, including North and South America, according to a TOI report. Observers in these regions may not witness any part of the eclipse or will only experience a minor partial has shared some tips for sky gazers and enthusiasts for this awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon that will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for millions of people across continents. The way to safely view an annular eclipse and a total solar eclipse is different, the world's largest space agency says. -Eclipse Eye Safety: It is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's bright face. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. ALSO READ: Dylan Dreyer-Brian Fichera divorce: Did 'Today' show host drop red flags before separation? -Eye safety for annual eclipses: When you are watching annular solar eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses ('eclipse glasses') or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.-View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.-Do not use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. When viewing a partial or annular eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters, you do not need to wear eclipse glasses. ALSO READ: Could ex-Astronomer CEO Andy Byron sue Coldplay after kiss cam controversy? Check details -You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun's bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. -As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun. -Even during a partial or annular eclipse, or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the Sun will still be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Solar Eclipse on August 2: Will US witness the awe-inspiring celestial spectacle? NASA shares crucial tips
Solar Eclipse in 2027: What is the date and time? How should you watch solar eclipse? Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A remarkable total solar eclipse will darken the skies over parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East on August 2, 2027. This isn't a regular eclipse, with totality extending up to a remarkable six minutes and 23 seconds. It promises to be one of the most significant celestial occurrences of the total solar eclipses are mostly fascinating, the August 2027 event stands out for its exceptional length. Most total eclipses offer only a brief glimpse of the sun's corona, often for less than three minutes. However, according to the upcoming eclipse breaks this norm, making it the longest total solar eclipse visible from land between 1991 and total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, August 2, 2027, during the early to mid-afternoon hours, depending on your location. The 2027 eclipse will not be visible in many parts of the world, including North and South America, according to a TOI report. Observers in these regions may not witness any part of the eclipse or will only experience a minor partial has shared some tips for sky gazers and enthusiasts for this awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon that will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for millions of people across continents. The way to safely view an annular eclipse and a total solar eclipse is different, the world's largest space agency says.-Eclipse Eye Safety: It is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun's bright face. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.-Eye safety for annual eclipses: When you are watching annular solar eclipse directly with your eyes, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses ('eclipse glasses') or a safe handheld solar viewer at all inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers.-View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.-Do not use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. When viewing a partial or annular eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters, you do not need to wear eclipse glasses.-You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun's bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality.-As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.-Even during a partial or annular eclipse, or during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the Sun will still be very bright. If you are watching an entire eclipse, you may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
NASA-ISRO satellite NISAR launch on July 30
The NASA-ISRO collaboration, NISAR, is set to launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The launch is scheduled for July 30. GSLV-F16 will deploy the satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit. NISAR will use advanced radar technology to scan the Earth. It will provide all-weather, day and night data. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The NASA-ISRO joint satellite NISAR will be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on July 30 at 5.40 pm, the space agency said on to ISRO, GSLV-F16 will inject the Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite into a 743 km Sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of 98.4 will observe Earth with a swath of 242 km and high spatial resolution, using SweepSAR technology for the first time, ISRO said in a satellite will scan the entire globe and provide all weather, day and night data at 12-day interval and enable a wide range of applications, it can detect even small changes in the Earth's surface such as ground deformation, ice sheet movement and vegetation dynamics, according to the space applications include sea ice classification, ship detection, shoreline monitoring, storm characterisation, changes in soil moisture, mapping and monitoring of surface water resources and disaster weighing 2,392 kg, is a unique Earth observation satellite and the first satellite to observe the Earth with a dual frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band) both using NASA's 12m unfurlable mesh reflector antenna, integrated to ISRO's modified I3K satellite NISAR launch is the result of strong technical cooperation between ISRO & NASA/JPL technical teams for more than a decade, the release said.