Astronomers have found the strongest evidence to date that planets beyond our solar system possess magnetic fields similar to those of Earth, Jupiter and Saturn, according to a new study published in Nature Astronomy.
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An international team of researchers made the discovery while studying a group of distant gas giant planets known as “hot Jupiters,” which orbit extremely close to their host stars and experience temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius.
The scientists initially set out to measure atmospheric winds on seven hot Jupiters using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile and the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii. They found that wind speeds on these planets ranged from 7,200 to 25,000 kilometres per hour.
However, the researchers were surprised to discover that the hottest planets had weaker winds than expected. According to the study, the most likely explanation is the presence of magnetic fields that slow down the movement of charged particles in the planets’ atmospheres.
Lead researcher Julia Seidel of France’s Côte d’Azur Observatory said the findings represent a major breakthrough in understanding the magnetic environments of worlds beyond our solar system.
“It’s the first time we can compare the magnetic environments of other worlds,” Seidel said, adding that magnetic fields play an important role in protecting planetary atmospheres and may influence a planet’s ability to retain water and potentially support life.
The study found that the magnetic fields on these exoplanets are comparable in strength to those found within our own solar system, ranging from about half the strength of Jupiter’s magnetic field to several times stronger than Saturn’s.
Scientists believe the discovery could improve understanding of how planetary atmospheres evolve and may eventually help identify distant worlds capable of supporting life.
Researchers described the hot Jupiters as “extreme laboratories” that provide valuable insights into the role magnetic fields play across the universe.
