Researchers Discover 'Sneezes' in Baby Stars Crucial for Stellar Formation

A new study reveals that baby stars expel magnetic flux in 'sneeze-like' bursts, a process essential for their development and magnetic field regulation.

Kyushu University researchers used the ALMA array to study protostellar disks in baby stars, finding critical 'sneezes' of magnetic flux, gas, and dust.
These 'sneezes' help in expelling excess magnetic flux, preventing the formation of overly strong magnetic fields in maturing stars.
The phenomenon, known as 'interchange instability,' occurs when magnetic field instabilities interact with varying gas densities in the protostellar disk.
Observations of the stellar nursery MC 27 revealed spike-like structures extending from the protostellar disks, indicating past and present 'sneezes'.
The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, could enhance our understanding of star and planet formation processes.