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Space Photos of the Week: Magnetic Fields May Slow Star Formation

Plus, Jovian storms, terrestrial airglow, and gravitational lensing.
  • magnetic field of nebula
  • view of jupiter with dark grey swirls
  • view from earth of the upper atmosphere showing particles
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NASA
Nebulas are often star factories, sure, but astronomers are really keen on understanding what factors might influence stars’ development. Enter NASA’s SOFIA telescope, which is extremely sensitive to infrared light, and also pointed out of a plane flying in the sky, above the weather. (Working in clear skies avoids the problem of images being blurred by clouds.) Recently, scientists have been using SOFIA’s new instrument called High-Resolution Airborne Wideband Camera-Plus, or HAWC, to study the Orion Nebula’s magnetic fields. They have a hunch that strong magnetic ripples might be hindering the growth of new stars there. By tracing the alignment of dust grains in the nebula, they created a map of the nebula’s magnetic field. This new swirling pattern of data may begin to offer some explanations—such as whether magnetic fields trap material or prevent gravity from taking hold in star-forming clouds.

On our jaunts across the galaxies—aboard telescopes, spacecraft, and cutting-edge imaging and instruments—we ride all manner of invisible waves. Call us the elite surfers of space. And our first ride is Juno and its latest flyby of Jupiter.

Long before the NASA spacecraft ever got there, we knew that the giant planet had lots going on atmosphere-wise, but it’s fair to say Juno has given us a whole new scope on the Jovian beast. Upon Juno’s arrival in 2016, planet researchers could now study storms and cloud layers that had never been seen—including features like high altitude clouds that some had said should not be there. Space photos at times yield more information than the scientific community is ready for.

Next we blast past the scene at the Orion Nebula, where astronomers are examining the role of magnetic fields in star formation. Astronomers wonder why some star making tends to slow down or stop altogether. Now they think the magnetic field rippling through the Orion Nebula might be affecting the development of stars. As they better understand this phenomenon, they also might be able to figure out why stars are dispersed the way they are in our galaxy and others.

Finally, we end in calm, with a warm photo of a spiral galaxy that served as the “first light” collected for Speculoos, a new telescope that will tip other space gazers to new potential planets around other stars.

Every time we venture out into space, it’s a whole new wave of exploration. Grab a board and a suit and paddle out to WIRED’s full collection of photos, here.

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