On October 11, 2024, astrophysicists revealed a significant discovery regarding the Milky Way's structure, identifying both magnetic fields surrounding the galaxy and the source of gas bubbles on either side of its disk.
Using data from X-ray emissions, researchers studied two massive structures, known as eROSITA bubbles, which were first detected four years ago. Each bubble spans approximately 45,000 light-years and is filled with hot gas. The study suggests that these bubbles may be linked to star formation activity or the central supermassive black hole of the Milky Way.
By analyzing the polarization of light from these bubbles, scientists found long magnetic filaments, indicating that new star formation is likely the source of the bubbles. These findings suggest that a star-forming ring located 10,000 to 16,000 light-years from the galactic center could be driving the hot gas into the galaxy's halo.
This research offers the first detailed measurements of magnetic fields in the Milky Way's halo and hints at a connection between star formation and gas outflows from the galaxy. The presence of these magnetic fields appears to be closely related to regions of star formation within the Milky Way.