Magnetic field millions of light years in the universe

German scientists have discovered that the largest magnetic field in the universe is created by collisions between galaxy clusters.

Collisions between galaxy clusters can create giant magnetic fields. Illustration: iStock.

A team of researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR) in Germany has discovered that collisions between galaxy clusters in the universe create enormous magnetic fields. One of them spans millions of light years and is dozens of times larger than the Milky Way, according to the International Business Times. The research results were published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

"We discovered the largest stable magnetic field in the universe, spanning 5-6 million light years," said Maja Kierdorf, lead author of the study.

The collision of galaxies compresses hot gas, forming what looks like an electric arc called a relic. Since its first discovery in 1970, relics have been found in more than 70 galaxy clusters.

Scientists used the giant Effelsberg Radio Telescope in Germany to capture images of four of the best-known impact remnants. One of them is CIZA J2242+53.

The results showed that the remnants are organized structures and that the movement of particles would generate enormous magnetic fields. The shape and density of the remnants indicate that the galaxy clusters could be colliding with each other at speeds of over 2,000 km/s.

"This magnetic field has the same strength as in the Milky Way, but has an exceptionally high polarization, up to 50%," the team said.

The future Effelsberg Telescope will be the ideal instrument to detect more such giant magnetic fields in the universe. "We can now search for stable magnetic fields in galaxy clusters using polarized radio waves," said Rainer Beck, a co-author of the study.

According to VNE