What's Happening?
A new study published in Physical Review Letters has revealed that the universe's first magnetic fields, known as primordial magnetic fields, were much weaker than previously thought. Using computer simulations, researchers have constrained the upper limit of these fields' magnetic strength to 0.00000000002 gauss, which is billions of times weaker than a standard fridge magnet. These findings suggest that the primordial fields were comparable to the magnetic activity within the human brain and still linger within the cosmic web.
Why It's Important?
Understanding the strength and nature of primordial magnetic fields is crucial for comprehending the early universe's evolution and the formation of cosmic structures. These findings challenge previous models and offer new insights into the magnetic properties of the universe. The study could impact future research on cosmic magnetism and the role of magnetic fields in shaping the universe's large-scale structure. It also highlights the importance of computer simulations in exploring cosmic phenomena.