Something strange is happening in the Milky Way’s magnetic field
Science Daily
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Dr. Jo-Anne Brown and her team have made groundbreaking strides in mapping the Milky Way's magnetic field using a new radio telescope at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory. Their research, published in *The Astrophysical Journal* and *The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series*, introduces a comprehensive dataset and model that provide unprecedented insights into the galaxy's magnetic structure. By analyzing Faraday rotation—a phenomenon where radio waves are altered as they pass through regions of electrons and magnetic fields—the researchers were able to chart the magnetic field's intricate details across vast stretches of the galaxy.
One of the most surprising findings is the diagonal magnetic reversal in the Sagittarius Arm, a region where the magnetic field flows in the opposite direction compared to the rest of the galaxy. This discovery was made possible by tracking how radio waves shift as they pass through different galactic environments. The team's model reveals that this reversal appears as a diagonal feature from Earth's perspective, challenging previous assumptions about the uniformity of the Milky Way's magnetic field.
Understanding the Milky Way's magnetic field is crucial for modeling its evolution and predicting future changes. This research not only deepens our knowledge of the galaxy's structure but also sheds light on fundamental cosmic processes, such as star formation and high-energy astrophysical events. The findings are a significant step
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Originally published on Science Daily on 2/24/2026