IIST Scientists Detect Rare Circularly Polarised Radio Emission Near Young Massive Protostar

Speedy Summary

• A team of astronomers from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) has discovered circular polarised radio emissions near IRAS 18162-2048, a massive protostar located roughly 4,500 light years away.
• This marks the first direct detection of magnetic field strength in the immediate vicinity of a massive protostar.
• The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters under the title “First Detection of Circular polarization in Radio Continuum Toward a Massive Protostar.”
• The observed circular polarisation provides evidence for strong magnetic fields, approximately 100 times stronger than Earth’s, near the protostar.
• IRAS 18162-2048 powers one of the largest and brightest known protostellar jets in the Milky Way galaxy – HH80-81. These jets are believed to be propelled by magnetic fields and rotation within protostars.
• Discovering such phenomena is challenging due to their faint signals.Observations were conducted using NRAO’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) telescope in the U.S.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This breakthrough revelation by Indian astronomers establishes critical insights into star formation processes and highlights India’s growing contributions to astrophysics research on a global scale. The link between circular polarisation detection and powerful magnetic engines driving both stellar jets and black holes advances theoretical models about cosmic energy dynamics.For India, this achievement underscores its prominence in scientific exploration, exemplifying its capacity for tackling complex astronomical phenomena despite technological constraints or observational challenges. Such observations deepen our understanding not only about massive stars but also broader astrophysical systems like galaxies or black holes-domains where interstellar mechanics share common principles.

Furthermore, this research reinforces collaborations between Indian scientists with international institutions like NRAO while utilizing cutting-edge facilities-a testament that science thrives on shared expertise across borders.

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