Magnetic fields in dark help formation of stars: Study

High magnetization sets the stage for the formation of stars much more massive than the sun, said a study on Friday.

Magnetic fields in massive dark clouds are strong enough to support the regions against collapse due to their own gravity, said the study led by researchers at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Radioastronomie.

This is demonstrated in observations of polarized dust emission from two of the most massive clouds in Milky Way, the "Brick" and "Snake".

"For the first time we witness how magnetic fields thread a massive cloud and help stabilize the region while it gets ready to form high-mass stars" said Thushara Pillai from the Max-Planck-Institut fur Radioastronomie.

The high mass of these cores has puzzled researchers for many years, as the cores should quickly collapse due to their own gravity and destroy themselves before telescopes on Earth can detect them.

"The cloud would already be collapsing if there were no magnetic support", said Thushara Pillai. "In that case the young forming cores would never become massive enough to form stars much larger than the Sun."

The results are published in this week's issue of the "Astrophysical Journal". Enditem