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Magnetism may have helped kick-start our solar system

Ancient rocks preserved in meteorites suggest a powerful magnetic field was present during the early formation of our solar system, potentially playing a role in feeding the growing sun.

Scientists analyzed mineral inclusions within a meteorite that solidified over 4.5 billion years ago, before the sun and planets formed. These inclusions act as a record of the magnetic forces present at that time.

The study measured magnetic fields of a few gauss, several times stronger than Earth's current magnetic field. This finding addresses the long-standing debate about whether gravity or magnetic fields primarily guided the formation of the solar system.

Previous research indicated a solar system-wide magnetic field existed after the sun formed, but its presence during the sun's earliest stages was uncertain. This new measurement provides evidence for an early magnetic field.

Simulations suggest that stronger magnetic fields transport more gas toward a nascent star. The measured field strength indicates that magnetism could have significantly contributed to the gas accretion of the early sun.

This research offers a rare glimpse into the solar system's initial formation phase, known as the Class 0 phase.

Further validation is needed through measurements from a larger sample of meteorites to strengthen these findings.

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