When Impacts Supercharged Mercury’s Ancient Magnetic Field
Isaac Narrett and colleagues show that giant impacts on Mercury, like the Caloris Basin event, could have briefly amplified the planet’s weak magnetic field by up to 20 times through hot plasma generation. These amplified fields may have been recorded in rocks at the impact’s antipode, explaining parts of Mercury’s ancient magnetization, though a stronger ancient dynamo is still needed to account for all observations.
Magnetic Fields Sculpt the Pillars of Creation
This study maps magnetic fields in the Pillars of Creation using infrared dust polarization data. The fields align with the pillar structures and vary in strength, influencing where stars form. Findings support a model where initially weak magnetic fields were compressed and strengthened over time, helping shape the Pillars and regulate star formation.
Untangling the Magnetic Puzzle of HD 169142: Clues from a Young Star Hosting Planets
This study explores the magnetic field of HD 169142, a young star with a planet-forming disk. Using polarized light data, the authors detect complex magnetic features likely influenced by both the stellar surface and surrounding gas. Variability in hydrogen lines and elemental spots suggests a dynamic magnetosphere. The findings point to intricate star-disk interactions and highlight the need for further magnetic mapping.