Scientists studying some of the oldest meteorites have discovered evidence that a powerful magnetic field was present during the first 200,000 years of our solar system’s formation. This suggests magnetism played a key role alongside gravity in shaping the Sun and the surrounding planetary disk from a vast cloud of gas and dust nearly 4.6 billion years ago.
- Magnetic field stronger than Earth’s existed during solar system’s first 200,000 years
- Meteorite grains preserve earliest evidence of magnetism before planets formed
- Magnetism likely worked with gravity to form the Sun and protoplanetary disk
What happened
Around 4.6 billion years ago, the solar system began as an immense cloud of gas and dust known as the solar nebula. Over millions of years, this cloud collapsed and flatted into a disk, eventually forming the Sun at its center and the foundation for the planets around it. Until now, gravity was believed to be the primary force behind this transformation.
A team of researchers from MIT studied microscopic grains inside a meteorite called DOM 08006, discovered in Antarctica in 2008. These grains, known as calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), are among the oldest solid materials formed during the first 200,000 years of the solar system. By analyzing their magnetic properties, the team found evidence of a strong magnetic field that existed during this earliest stage, indicating magnetism’s role alongside gravity in the solar nebula’s evolution.
Why it feels good
This discovery rewrites part of the story of how our solar system came to be. For decades, scientists have debated the forces at play during the solar system’s infancy, particularly before planets began to form. Finding that magnetism was already present when the Sun was assembling adds depth to our understanding of cosmic history.
Knowing that a magnetic field stronger than that of Earth’s today helped shepherd material toward the forming Sun makes the complex dance of forces shaping our cosmic neighborhood more dynamic and fascinating. It highlights how unseen forces from billions of years ago influenced the composition and formation of everything around us, including the Earth.
What to enjoy or watch next
For those interested in space exploration and cosmic origins, following upcoming studies that continue to probe ancient meteorites can offer even more clues about how our solar system and others like it formed. Watching for new discoveries about magnetic fields in other early star systems could reveal if this phenomenon is common throughout the galaxy.
Documentaries and programs about planetary science and the formation of the Sun often include fascinating segments on meteorites. They provide a tangible link to the distant past. Engaging with such content gives a deeper appreciation of how our solar system’s earliest moments are preserved in these space rocks that eventually land on Earth.