A giant magnetic break has been discovered in the Milky Way

Astronomers have discovered a hidden magnetic structure in the Milky Way—a giant “break” that runs diagonally across the Sagittarius Arm.

Science Daily reports this, citing studies published in The Astrophysical Journal and The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.

The discovery was made by scientists from the University of Calgary using a new radio telescope at the Canadian Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, which enabled them to create one of the most detailed maps of the Milky Way’s magnetic field.

The researchers explain that the magnetic field is one of the key forces influencing the galaxy’s structure. During their analysis, they studied the Faraday rotation effect—the change in radio waves caused by electrons and magnetic fields in space.

The most surprising discovery was made in the Sagittarius Arm, where the magnetic field changes direction: while it generally points clockwise throughout the Milky Way, in this region it points in the opposite direction.

Further modeling showed that this transition does not occur linearly, but rather as a diagonal magnetic “break.”

Scientists believe this discovery will help better understand the internal structure of the Milky Way and the mechanisms of galactic evolution.

Previously, the Japanese probe Hayabusa-2 delivered organic compounds from the asteroid Ryugu. And NASA researchers detected organic compounds, including sugar molecules, in samples brought back from the asteroid Bennu. 

The Curiosity rover has identified more than 20 types of organic molecules, including a nitrogen-containing compound structurally similar to the building blocks of DNA.