Magnetic Superhighway Discovered in Space: 500 KM/Second Winds Reshape Galaxies

• Scientists using the ALMA telescope discovered a 'magnetic superhighway' in the luminous galaxy Arp 220, pushing out metals, dust, and cosmic rays.
• Arp 220 is an Ultra-Luminous Infrared Galaxy (ULIRG), representing the final stage of two colliding spiral galaxies, similar to early universe galaxy formation.
• The magnetic field in Arp 220's western nucleus is associated with molecular winds traveling at 500 km/second, expelling gas and potentially slowing star formation.
• This magnetic field is hundreds to thousands of times stronger than the Milky Way's, dispersing galactic debris for future star and galaxy formation.
• The discovery, published in 'The Astrophysical Journal Letters,' highlights magnetic fields as key engines in galaxy evolution and material transfer.

Why It Matters: A powerful magnetic superhighway in Arp 220 reveals how magnetic fields drive galaxy evolution and star formation.