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Astronomers have made a breakthrough in the study of planet formation processes by recording the magnetic "fingerprint" of the protoplanetary disk of a young star, which allows us to better understand the mechanisms of the evolution of planetary systems.
Using the high-resolution ALMA telescope, researchers observed how dust particles in the protoplanetary disk of the star HD 142527 align along magnetic field lines. This phenomenon allowed them to map the three-dimensional structure of the magnetic environment around the young star, an important step in studying the forces that influence dust aggregation and planet formation. As lead author of the study, Satoshi Ohashi, notes,
Protoplanetary disks surrounding newborn stars consist of gas and dust that, under the influence of various physical processes, coalesce into larger formations. One of the key factors in this process is magnetism, but studying it in such systems has been technically difficult due to the lack of precise observational methods. A new approach based on the analysis of the orientation of dust particles has opened up new possibilities for directly mapping the magnetic field in protoplanetary disks.
The study, conducted by an international team of astronomers, has shown that magnetic fields can cause significant turbulence in the disk, potentially affecting the speed and characteristics of planet formation. This supports the hypothesis that magnetic processes play an important role in the birth of planetary systems and provides a basis for further research. The next step is to apply this method to other young stars to study magnetic fields closer to the central star and obtain new data on the mechanisms of planet formation in the Universe.
Astronomers Discover Magnetic Imprint of Protoplanetary Disk for the First Time appeared first on Curiosity.
