New cosmic magnetic field structures discovered in galaxy NGC 4217:
When evaluating the data from NGC 4217, the researchers found several remarkable structures. The galaxy has an X-shaped magnetic field structure, which has also been observed in other galaxies, extending far outwards from the galaxy disk, namely over 20,000 light years.
In addition to the X-shape, the team found a helix structure and two large bubble structures, also called superbubbles. The latter originate from places where many massive stars explode as supernovae, but also where stars are formed that emit stellar winds in the process. Researchers therefore suspect a connection between these phenomena.
"The data suggest that star formation and star explosions, so-called supernovae, are responsible for the visible structures."
Journal Reference:
Y. Stein, R.-J. Dettmar, R. Beck, et al. CHANG-ES - XXI. Transport processes and the X-shaped magnetic field of NGC 4217: off-center superbubble structure [open], Astronomy & Astrophysics (DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202037675)
(Score: 2) by Kitsune008 on Thursday July 23 2020, @06:31PM (2 children)
The [insert entity here] are hiding knowledge of extraterrestrials from us! Tell SETI to target those galaxies...X marks the spot!
This is bigger news than the moon landing hoax! /sarcasm
I shudder to think about the possible insanity this could cause. While it should be of a very limited nature, I would place no bets on this one nowadays, at any odds.
Astrophysics is an interest of mine, so I enjoy articles like this one. As Spock would say: "Fascinating."
Thanks, Phoenix666, for submitting this one.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 24 2020, @05:55AM
...so you are saying we should keep track of this in the X-files.
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Friday July 24 2020, @03:08PM
My pleasure.
Washington DC delenda est.