Ancient Dust Grains Hold Magnetic Clues to the Sun's Birth

Those little dust grains found in meteorites may hold clues to the Sun's formation. Scientists at MIT analyzed calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) in a meteorite called DOM 08006, found in Antarctica in 2008. These inclusions formed 200,000 years after the Sun formed and are the oldest known material from the early Solar System. The study suggests that these inclusions retained magnetic properties, providing evidence of the strength of the magnetic field in the protosolar nebula. The magnetic field was likely stronger than Earth's current field and played a role in shaping the disk and the formation of the Sun.

The study found that CAIs imprinted magnetic traces, which could indicate the presence of magnetic fields in the protosolar nebula. The magnetic field was generated by the motion of charged particles in the gas and dust of the nebula. The magnetic field was strong enough to affect the structure of the disk and influence the formation of planetesimals. The magnetic field may have helped move gas toward the Sun, contributing to the formation of the solar system.

The findings suggest that magnetic fields were an important factor in the early stages of the Solar System's formation. Previous studies indicated that magnetic fields existed 2 million years after the Sun formed, but this study shows that the magnetic field was even stronger and existed earlier. The study provides new insights into the role of magnetic fields in the formation of the Sun and the planets, and highlights the importance of considering magnetic fields in models of solar system formation.

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