Magma ocean and crust

Solar System

Moon’s Magnetism Might Have Protected Earth

The Moon's magnetic field, now long gone, might once have shielded Earth from the young Sun's radiation.

Magnetic fields in Serpens South Cluster

Galaxies

See the Invisible: A Gallery of Magnetic Fields

Magnetic fields affect everything from star formation to galaxy evolution. View a gallery of images that show magnetism's role.

Magnetic field in the galactic center

Milky Way

Magnetism Rules in the Milky Way’s Core

Recent observations from the airborne SOFIA observatory show that magnetic fields — not gravity — govern the gas at the center of the Milky Way.

Mars: dry vs. wet

Solar System

Weak Martian Magnetic Field May Have Let Air Out

Mars's magnetic field weakened and disappeared billions of years ago. Now, scientists have found that the weak field might have been worse than none at all.

Magnetic channels in distant galaxy

Galaxies

Vast Magnetic "Strings" Puzzle Astronomers

New observations have revealed plasma strung along vast magnetic "strings" crossing hundreds of thousands of light-years.

Jupiter, color-enhanced

Solar System

Jupiter’s Magnetic Field Has Weird Structure

Juno observations reveal that Jupiter’s magnetic field has a wacky plume.

supernova 1987A

Stellar Science

Wheel-spoke Magnetic Field in Supernova 1987A

Researchers have mapped the magnetic field in Supernova 1987A, shedding light on how stellar blasts act as particle accelerators.

Celestial News & Events

How Will the Sun's Corona Look at Totality?

Updated 8/16 to include Predictive Science, Inc.'s predictions. The total solar eclipse is less than three weeks away, but researchers already have a good indication of how the Sun’s corona will look when it comes into view.

Faculae along solar limb on July 18, 2014

Celestial Objects to Observe

Blank Sun? Faculae to the Rescue!

Fascinating faculae provide a way for anyone with a small telescope to track the ups and downs of the solar cycle — even when there are no sunspots.