IRAS 18162-2048

IRAS 18162-2048 : Recently, in a significant astronomical breakthrough, scientists from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, have detected circularly polarised radio emissions near the massive young protostar IRAS 18162-2048.

o This marks the first direct evidence of strong magnetic fields in the immediate environment of such a protostar.

• About IRAS 18162-2048: A massive protostar located about 4,500 light years away in the Milky Way. It is one of the most studied massive protostars due to its unique energetic features.

o The protostar is known for powering HH80-81, one of the largest and brightest bipolar jets in the galaxy—ejecting high-speed matter in opposite directions.

o These Herbig-Haro (HH) jets are crucial markers of early star formation.

• New Discovery: While previous studies had mapped magnetic fields along the jet, the latest detection marks the first direct evidence of magnetic activity near the core of the protostar.

o This strongly suggests that magnetic fields play a key role in launching and regulating such massive outflows.

• Scientific Impact: The discovery provides new insights into high-mass star formation, a less understood process compared to low-mass star formation. It supports the theory that magnetic fields are essential in shaping early stellar evolution.
• About Protostar : An early stage in the process of star formation, preceding the main sequence phase.

o It forms from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud in the interstellar medium, composed mainly of gas and dust.

o Becomes a main sequence star once hydrogen fusion begins in its core.

o Typically obscured by surrounding dust, making them difficult to detect in visible light.